by Mark Deming
synopsis
One of the most popular operas in Richard Wagner's epic "Der Ring des Nibelungen" cycle, "Die Walkure follows Wotan and Alberich as they scheme to reclaim the all-powerful Ring from Fafner the dragon; Brunnhilde, one of the goddesses of War, has become Wotan's trusted advisor in his quest, and he has also trained his son Siegmund to take up the cause in the event of his death. This production of "Die Walkure", staged as part of Patrice Chereau's Centenary celebration marking the 100th anniversary of the completion of the "Ring", this lavish performance features Donald McIntyre as Wotan, Peter Hofmann as Siegmund, and Gweneth Jones as Brunnhilde; Pierre Boulez conducts the Orchester Der Bayreuther Festspiel.
