Bayreuth Festival - Das Rheingold
Christian Thielemann has become one of the Wagner conductors who has real understanding of the marvellous acoustics of the Bayreuth Festspielhaus - not all have this, even among the great ones.
A scene from Das Rheingold, part of the Bayreuth Festival at Festspielhaus, Bayreuth, Germany Photo: Bayreuther Festspiele GmbH / Enrico Nawrath
Thielemann and the orchestra started this Ring with a musically splendid Das Rheingold. Tankred Dorst’s production, now in its third year, with sets by Frank Philipp Schlossmann and costumes by Bernd Skodzig equalled the music with clear, bright, semi-classical designs. The result is simple, timeless and allows Wagner’s drama as well as his music to hold the stage.
Rheingold is a dramatic piece where the story unfolds, and Dorst is to be complimented on the way he gets his cast to act, and on beautiful and effective grouping. It is exciting to watch.
Albert Dohmen is now developing into a fine Wotan, Arnold Bezuyen is a brilliant Loge, fine, strong voice and delightful acting. Andrew Shore is again a splendid Alberich. The whole cast, if not outstanding, achieve a fine Wagnerian unity.
Production information
Festspielhaus, Bayreuth, Germany, July 28-August 20
- Composer:
- Richard Wagner
- Producer:
- Bayreuther Festspiele
- Cast includes:
- Albert Dohmen, Ralf Lukas, Clemens Bieber, Arnold Bezuyen, Kwangchul Youn, Hans-Peter Konig, Andrew Shore
- Running time:
- 2hrs 35mins
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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