A night at the opera: Wagner's golden saga
Prologue to the German composer's monumental Ring cycle set to open at National Centre for the Performing Arts, Chen Nan reports.
The director also notes that The Rhine Gold is the shortest in the Ring cycle but features the most vivid and a large number of characters. In a continuous two-and-a-half-hour performance, each character is clearly and lively presented, setting the stage for the entire cycle.
Among the cast members from around the world, baritone Egils Silins, born in Latvia, will portray Wotan (King of the gods). He previously joined in the performances in the national center's productions of Wagner's Rienzi and The Flying Dutchman.
"For performers, Wagner's music is incredibly challenging. I have played this role in 12 different productions, yet each time I discover something new. Collaborating with director Poda and numerous other singers this time has provided me with a fresh perspective on the role," he says.
"The core of The Rhine Gold revolves around the gods, who symbolize higher values of human nature, while Alberich, as the antagonist, represents human instinct. I hope to embark on this journey with the audience, exploring the richness and complexity of human nature together," says baritone Tomas Tomasson from Iceland, who plays the role of Alberich in the production.
