Wagner: Das Rheingold (de Billy)

Introduction

This lavish production of Das Rheingold, the prologue to Wagner`s Der Ring, takes us back to the point that Alberich seizes the ring of gold. I know this mainly because this double DVD comes with a really good 10 minute `Wagner for Dummies` resume of the plot in child-like narrative. It`s a sad fact that I opted
to watch this first, and as a result was able to watch the production itself without getting too confused about who`s who and what`s what.

It shouldn`t matter that Opera isn`t really my thing. This gothic opus may well not be your thing either, but there`s much in this offering to admire.

Filmed at the most magnificent theatre I think I`ve ever seen (Barcelona`s Gran Teatre del Liceu) with five tiers of stalls overlooking a vast stage with the highest proscenium arch imaginable, enabling the most breath-taking scenery and staging shifts (using the potential of the fly) that I think I`ve ever seen in theatre.

Like a strange East-European Grimm`s style fairy tale, this plot unfolds as theatre of the grotesque with dramatic lighting, make-up, staging and costumes. The opera plays in one long act (frustratingly across the two discs so you have to swap over mid-flow), Directed by Bertrand de Billy and with the support of the Symphony Orchestra of the Gran Teater del Liceu. Stage direction is by Harry Kupfer, and this production played to great acclaim in Berlin before making its way to Barcelona for this recording.

It`s probably worth noting that the Libretto was also penned by Wagner who drew inspiration from German mythology.

The opera is divided into four main scenes which seek to explain how a world of harmony can evolve from a world of chaos. On a creaky, dark old riverbed, the Rhinemaidens are watching over their gold. Alberich the Nibelung, a hideous and lecherous gnome makes a vain attempt to seduce them and then steals their gold after discovering its powerful secret; whoever can seize it and make it into a ring will become master of the world, as long as they also forswear love. (Hmmm…an inspiration to Tolkein?).

Wotan, the chief of the gods, descends into the earth to try to seize the gold from Alberich in order to pay back two giants who have built Valhalla for him.

The stage sets (by Hans Schavernoch under the guidance of Kupfer) are really magnificent throughout, and the vocal talents of the cast are considerable. His is truly a marathon performance.

Video

High quality digi-video coverage clearly shot long on the lens for practical reasons means that on several occasions focus is lost momentarily. This is the only flaw in an otherwise first-class quality recording and transfer.

Audio

Sumptuous surround sound with nicely recorded digital sound. A very nice experience for those that like to get completely immersed in the music...

Features

There`s a short narrated synopsis of the plot which is useful for those (like myself) unfamiliar with the work. There`s also a `cast gallery` - a still and name for every member of the cast as a visual reference. These include the principals, Falk Struckmann, Graham Clark, Gunter von Kannen, Lioba Braun, and Kwanchut Youn - a truly international cast.

Conclusion

Whether you`re a fan of opera in general, or Wagner in particular, or neither (like me), there`s still much that`s impressive about this recent release from Opus Arte.

The staging of this single act opera is magnificent, with dramatic lighting and scene changes, impressive costumes, make-up and effects. The Gran Teatre del Liceu itself is breath taking, and you get three and half minutes of pans and zooms before the performance begins. The opera itself is extremely dramatic, with dark fairy-tales and ancient myths forming its narrative. The performances all seem very spirited, though I really don`t feel qualified to comment too much on this.

With a total running time of 170 minutes, it seems to represent very good value too - especially if you compare the cost with that of attending the opera in person.