APO Embraces Lust, Greed and Corruption for Wagnerian Epic

APO Embraces Lust, Greed and Corruption for Wagnerian Epic

May 19, 2011 - Wagner makes a rare concert appearance on the New Zealand stage this July when Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) brings Das Rheingold to Auckland for the Westpac Opera In Concert production. It is the first time in more than a decade that the work has been performed in the city.

The opening opera in Wagner's Ring cycle, Das Rheingold is a tale of love, power and retribution, and was a milestone in the composer's work, marking a break with earlier operatic conventions. "No one has ever composed like this," Wagner claimed. "I fancy my music is fearful; it is a pit of terror and grandeur."

A concert performance rather than a full operatic presentation with costumes and sets, the staging of any Wagner opera is nevertheless a massive undertaking. Das Rheingold calls for immense forces, with 14 soloists, a full choir and more than 100 orchestral players taking the stage.

The APO's musicians are excited by the prospect. "With its cast of gods, dwarves, giants and naked water nymphs (possibly), Rheingold has everything," says APO viola player Owen Gordon. "Wagner sets the themes of lust, greed and corruption to the most sublime music; I know it will be the highlight of my musical year."

APO Music Director Eckehard Stier agrees. "This is a dream come true," he says, describing Das Rheingold as a "masterpiece of darkness and light".

To meet the exacting demands of Wagner's vocal writing, the APO has amassed a stand-out cast of singers.

International stars including Eberhard Lorenz, John Wegner and Elizabeth Campbell - who made such an impression in a complete Ring cycle for the Adelaide Festival - are joined by local artists including Anna Leese, Anna Pierard and Jenny Wollerman.

Leading them is New Zealand bass-baritone Paul Whelan, who takes the part of Wotan, ruler of the gods.

"Paul is an exciting choice in this role and we're so pleased he's returned home for this concert," says APO Chief Executive Barbara Glaser. "New Zealand has a fine tradition of producing outstanding bass-baritones; Paul is a worthy heir to Donald McIntyre and has already proved himself to be one of our finest ever singers."

WHO: Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Eckehard Stier, with Paul Whelan, Anna Leese, Jenny Wollerman, Peter Rose, Richard Greager and other special guests

WHAT: Das Rheingold by Richard Wagner, presented for Westpac Opera in Concert

WHERE: Auckland Town Hall

WHEN: 7.30pm, Friday 29 July

BOOKINGS: THE EDGE, www.buytickets.co.nz, ph 0800 BUY TICKETS

The full line-up of singers is:

Paul Whelan - Wotan

Eberhard Lorenz - Loge

Elizabeth Campbell - Fricka

Anna Leese - Freia

Patrick Power - Donner

José Aparicio - Froh

Deborah Humble - Erda

John Wegner - Alberich

Richard Greager - Mime

Peter Rose - Fasolt

Gary Jankowski - Fafner

Jenny Wollerman - Woglinde

Anna Pierard - Wellgunde

Sally-Anne Russell - Flosshilde

ENDS

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