Wagner’s Ring set to open in Brisbane later this year

John Daly-Peoples

Opera Australia

Der Ring des Nibelungen, The Ring Cycle

Opera Queensland, Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Dancenorth,

Queensland Performing Arts Centre,

December 1 – 21

Preview John Daly-Peoples

Opera Australia’s  highly anticipated world-first, fully digital Ring Cycle opens in Brisbane in three months. Originally scheduled for 2020, but postponed twice due to the COVID pandemic, Wagner’s epic opera will finally open at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre on Friday 1 December 2023.

Recognised as one of the greatest of operas, Der Ring des Nibelungen, generally known as the Ring Cycle, comprises 15 hours of extraordinary music performed over four evenings, and this brand new, cutting edge reimagining of Wagner’s masterpiece will see opera lovers from around the world descend on Brisbane to experience the history making production which will make use of  of towering LED screens with the latest technologies to create a visually stunning new Ring.,

Presented in partnership with the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council, and in collaboration with Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Opera Queensland and Dancenorth, the Ring Cycle will showcase the outstanding talent Australia has to offer..

The scale and scope of the story is epic. It follows the struggles of gods, heroes and several mythical creatures over a magic ring forged by the Nibelung dwarf Alberich from gold he stole from the Rhine maidens. It is a ring.that grants domination over the entire world. The drama and intrigue continue through three generations of protagonists, until the final cataclysm at the end of Götterdämmerung.

Opera Australia CEO Fiona Allan expressed her gratitude to these partners who have remained committed to this production and looks forward to rehearsals beginning again in coming months. “Opera Australia wouldn’t be able to present this world first Ring Cycle without the help and support of our many partners in the Queensland Government, Brisbane City Council and Queensland’s broader arts and cultural community. “We are extremely grateful for their longstanding commitment to this production and are thrilled to finally be only six months away from seeing everyone’s hard work shine together onstage,” said Ms Allan.

Drawing on the best of the best talent from Australia and around the globe, acclaimed director Chen Shi-Zheng will lead a world-class creative team, cast and orchestra to bring a futuristic version of the Norse mythology to life. As the first Chinese director to direct a major Ring Cycle, Chen Shi-Zheng will also be the first to weave Chinese mythology into the production. Several New Zealanders are involved in the production including  Katherine Wiles who will be performing in Götterdämmerung

Expected to draw huge local and international audiences across the three complete Cycles, this groundbreaking production of the Ring Cycle will bring many visitors to the area and. Queensland’s Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Ring Cycle was set to bring a $16 million boost to Queensland’s visitor economy. “The world-renowned reputation of this opera has fans from all around the globe winging their way to Brisbane to see it,” Mr Hinchliffe said. “Even after two postponements of the season due to the pandemic, most ticket holders retained their seats, a ringing endorsement of just how special this production is.

The Full Cast

Wotan/Wanderer Daniel Sumegi, Brünnhilde Lise Lindstrom (Cycles 1&2), Brünnhilde Anna-Louise Cole (Cycle 3), Siegfried Stefan Vinke, Alberich Warwick Fyfe, Mime Andreas Conrad, Siegmund Rosario La Spina, Sieglinde Anna-Louise Cole (Cycle 1&2), Sieglinde Olivia Cranwell (Cycle 3), Fasolt David Parkin, Hagen/Hunding/Fafner/ Andrea Silvestrelli, Gunther Luke Gabbedy, Gutrune Maija Kovalevska, Loge Hubert Francis, Fricka/Waltraute Deborah Humble, Donner Alexander Sefton, Froh Dean Bassett, Freia/Helmwige Mariana Hong, Erda Liane Keegan, Woglinde Lorina Gore, Wellgunde/Gerhilde Jane Ede, Flosshilde/Schwertleite Dominica Matthews, Rossweisse Ruth Strutt, Ortlinde Jennifer Black, First Norn Celeste Haworth, Grimgerde / Second Norn Angela Hogan, Siegrune Agnes Sarkis, Woodbird Celeste Lazarenko, Third Norn Olivia Cranwell