Glynn Ross founded Seattle Opera in 1963, and twelve years later realized his ambitious plan to mount the entire cycle of Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen” in a week, in fact two cycles, one German and one English, back to back. This idea was unheard of in the U.S. No one had done it like…

In the current naturalistic production of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle going on in Seattle, it was necessary to have the three Rhinemaidens swimming underwater as per Wagner’s instructions. So this production starts with a scene in which the Rhinemaidens are apparently swimming in a watery environment up to thirty feet above the stage. Brilliant work by…

It’s been more than a week since Janice Baird immolated the world in the Seattle Opera’s first Ring cycle of 2009. Since her debut as Brunhilde earlier in the cycle, More than a few people familiar with the role, doubted the wisdom of casting Janice Baird as Brunhilde which demands so much from her voice…

Janice Baird’s Brünnhilde made Seattle Opera’s “Götterdämmerung” a triumph at the performance I heard on Saturday, August 22nd. Baird captivated the audience with her soaring voice and committed acting. She showered sparks all over the stage when Brünnhilde vainly tried to prove that she was Siegfried’s wife. During those moments Baird’s soprano had an edge…

Although last week, Stig Andersen suffered from a viral infection while performing “Siegfried,” I had the fortune to hear him in tip top shape during the Seattle Opera performance on Thursday, August 20th. Andersen, in the title role, put on a real show for heldentenor fans by offering plenty of volume while maintaining a lyrical…

The performance of “Die Walküre” on Tuesday night (August 18) got off to a great start from the outset with the orchestra leading the way. The instrumentalists really came alive under the baton of Robert Spano and even got a little wild at times. Their playing may have inspired the singers as well, so that…

With this “Ring” production here for the third time, you’d think all the kinks with costumes had been ironed out by now with just a few garments to be altered or remade, but there was plenty to do. Costume shop manager Susan Davis says views change. For instance, the costumes in 2001 were very full…

When the curtain goes up at the beginning of Seattle Opera’s production of “Das Rheingold” after the long orchestral introduction, the audience is plunged into the watery world of the mermaids who swim about in the Rhine River.  I experienced this magical moment for the first time during Seattle’s “Ring” in 2005, and – based…