SEATTLE OPERA WAGNER DAS RHEINGOLD August 12 - August 20, 2023 Eclectic Arts Media
DAS RHEINGOLD
Seattle Opera
Music and Libretto by Richard Wagner
McCaw Hall
Seattle, WA
August 12, 2023 7:30pm
The 60th Anniversary of the Seattle Opera is here! Kicking off the festivities with a perennial favorite in Das Rheingold. The Ring Cycle has become something of legend associated with the Seattle Opera. It only made sense to start this milestone 60th season with the first opera in the beloved Wagner cycle.
Being a media member that is still new to the Seattle Opera (1/2019), I can only write about what I saw and heard. I have nothing to compare it to unlike other journalists and.or patrons.
The staging worked for me but I could understand why it wouldn’t work for others. The heavy use of screen imagery throughout the production in place of built sets was something that couldn’t be overlooked. I found it more of an updating of the staging but I do admit a part of me wanted to see a multi level castle on stage.
The strength of the performance was clearly the singing. I typically notice a few cast members when I attend any opera performance. In this case I noticed several which is a high compliment. When I say there was no weak link in this cast I truly mean it. Aside from one artist on stage who could use a bit more presence (which is a minor quibble), the cast was brilliant.
The music was right up my alley. Having the orchestra on the stage created an interesting visual. Again, some may not have liked it.
Greer Grimsley as Wotan was almost like a victory lap of sorts. Mr. Grimsley is much beloved in Seattle for his memorable performances as Wotan in years past (among numerous other roles). Like the respected veteran that he is, Mr. Grimsley’s Wotan becomes the anchor for the storyline and for the other performers to work from. In other words, the standard is set and is set very high.
The cast members met that standard with ease and it just made for an incredibly powerful performance. If the rest of the season is this strong, we’re all in for an operatic treat and then some.
Das Rheingold has performances on 8/16, 8/18 and 8/20. Highly recommended!
Seattle Opera
Music and Libretto by Richard Wagner
McCaw Hall
Seattle, WA
August 12, 2023 7:30pm
(Greer Grimsley as Wotan (left) alongside Ludovic Morlot leading the Seattle Symphony Orchestra in "Das Rheingold" at Seattle Opera. © Philip Newton.)
The 60th Anniversary of the Seattle Opera is here! Kicking off the festivities with a perennial favorite in Das Rheingold. The Ring Cycle has become something of legend associated with the Seattle Opera. It only made sense to start this milestone 60th season with the first opera in the beloved Wagner cycle.
Being a media member that is still new to the Seattle Opera (1/2019), I can only write about what I saw and heard. I have nothing to compare it to unlike other journalists and.or patrons.
The staging worked for me but I could understand why it wouldn’t work for others. The heavy use of screen imagery throughout the production in place of built sets was something that couldn’t be overlooked. I found it more of an updating of the staging but I do admit a part of me wanted to see a multi level castle on stage.
(From left: the gods Froh (Viktor Antipenko), Freia (Katie Van Kooten), Donner (Michael Chioldi), Wotan (Greer Grimsley), and Fricka (Melody Wilson) in "Das Rheingold" at Seattle Opera. © Philip Newton.)
The strength of the performance was clearly the singing. I typically notice a few cast members when I attend any opera performance. In this case I noticed several which is a high compliment. When I say there was no weak link in this cast I truly mean it. Aside from one artist on stage who could use a bit more presence (which is a minor quibble), the cast was brilliant.
The music was right up my alley. Having the orchestra on the stage created an interesting visual. Again, some may not have liked it.
Greer Grimsley as Wotan was almost like a victory lap of sorts. Mr. Grimsley is much beloved in Seattle for his memorable performances as Wotan in years past (among numerous other roles). Like the respected veteran that he is, Mr. Grimsley’s Wotan becomes the anchor for the storyline and for the other performers to work from. In other words, the standard is set and is set very high.
(Greer Grimsley as Wotan in "Das Rheingold" at Seattle Opera. © Philip Newton.)
The cast members met that standard with ease and it just made for an incredibly powerful performance. If the rest of the season is this strong, we’re all in for an operatic treat and then some.
Das Rheingold has performances on 8/16, 8/18 and 8/20. Highly recommended!
TICKETS HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media Links Here
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media Links Here
Video Interview with Mr. Greer Grimsley:
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