SINGING DAS RHEINGOLD

SINGING DAS RHEINGOLD

Author: Seattle Opera July 28, 2023 Duration: 53:50

Meet the characters and explore the rich vocal history of DAS RHEINGOLD with Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean. With recorded music examples ranging from 1904 to 2015, Dean considers how DAS RHEINGOLD challenges its singers to feats of lyrical and heroic singing—and even listens for the dreaded "Bayreuth Bark." Includes special examples from Seattle Opera's 1976 English-language RING, plus "tag-team" musical examples—where switching singers mid-aria offers an opportunity to hear even more amazing voices.

Musical credits: 100 Jahre Bayreuth als Schallplate, the Early Festival Singers: Anton von Rooy (Wotan), 1908; Hans Breuer (Mime), (1904); Ernestine Schumann-Heink (Erda), 1907. Les Introuvables du Chant Wagnerien: Friedrich Schorr (Wotan), 1929. 1953 Bayreuth; Clemens Krauss conducts Ludwig Weber (Fasolt), Josef Greindl (Fafner), Erich Witte (Loge), Hermann Uhde (Donner), Paul Kuen (Mime). 1953, RAI Roma; Wilhelm Furtwängler conducts Lorenz Fehenberger (Froh). 1976, Seattle Opera; Henry Holt conducts Malcolm Rivers (Alberich) and Noel Tyl (Wotan) singing Andrew Porter's English translation. 1978, Covent Garden; Colin Davis conducts George Shirley (Loge). 1989, Bayerische Staatsoper; Wolfgang Sawallisch conducts Nancy Gustafson (Freia), Kurt Moll (Fafner), Marjana Lipovsek (Fricka), Julie Kaufmann (Woglinde), Angela Maria Blasi (Wellgunde), and Birgit Calm (Flosshilde). 1991, Bayreuth; Daniel Barenboim conducts John Tomlinson (Wotan), Matthias Hölle (Fasolt), and Helmut Pampuch (Mime). 1995, Seattle Opera; Hermann Michael conducts Monte Pederson (Wotan). 2013, Seattle Opera; Asher Fisch conducts Greer Grimsley (Wotan), Stephanie Blythe (Fricka), and Dennis Peterson (Mime). 2015, Hong Kong Philharmonic; Jaap van Zweden conducts Kwangchul Youn (Fasolt), Stephen Milling (Fafner), and Kim Begley (Loge).


Ever wondered how a grand opera production comes together, or what it feels like to stand in the wings just before the curtain rises? The Seattle Opera Podcast pulls back the velvet curtain on this intricate world. From the company that has been a cornerstone of the Pacific Northwest arts scene since 1963, this series offers a genuine backstage pass. You’ll hear directly from the singers, conductors, directors, and designers who bring these powerful stories to life, discussing everything from vocal technique and set construction to the emotional core of a character. Episodes might delve into a beloved European classic one week and a groundbreaking new American work the next, reflecting the company’s dynamic repertoire. This isn't just a lecture about music and drama; it's an immersive audio experience where you can listen to artists explain their craft, hear snippets of rehearsals, and gain a deeper appreciation for opera as a living, collaborative art form. Tune in to this podcast for conversations that are as passionate and detailed as the productions themselves, all brought to you directly from the heart of Seattle's opera community.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 131

Seattle Opera Podcast
Podcast Episodes
X: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MALCOLM X 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:54
In 1986 composer Anthony Davis and librettist Thulani Davis created an opera about the civil rights activist, with a story by Christopher Davis. The revised version comes to Seattle for the first time in winter/spring 20…
ALCINA 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:44
In Fall 2023 Seattle Opera will present Handel's ALCINA, a magical opera seria about the vagaries of love, attraction, and gender. Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean introduces Handel operas and ALCINA, with musical e…
DAS RHEINGOLD 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:24
The introductory first opera of Wagner's RING cycle is a unique and fascinating work in its own right: both a lively fantasy and a trenchant satirical allegory. Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean introduces DAS RHEING…
A Buddhist Perspective on TRISTAN & ISOLDE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:43
Seattle Opera subscriber Dr. Chris Rebholz, a practicing Buddhist, discusses Wagner's Tristan with Seattle Opera Dramaturg Jonathan Dean. Fascinated by Buddhism when he wrote Tristan und Isolde, Wagner created an opera a…
The Wagner Problem: Performance and Programming in the 21st Century [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:35
Richard Wagner is once again making an appearance on the Seattle Opera stage, renewing questions about the controversial composer's compatibility with contemporary social values. Wagner's objectionable views and dominant…
Singing Like Germans with Kira Thurman & Naomi André [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:02
Join us for a conversation with Kira Thurman, author of Singing Like Germans: Black Musicians in the Land of Bach, Beethoven, and Brahms, and Seattle Opera scholar-in-residence Dr. Naomi André. Drawing on her experience…
MARY ELIZABETH WILLIAMS Discusses Isolde [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:42
American soprano Mary Elizabeth Williams, beloved in Seattle for performances such as Tosca, Abigaille in NABUCCO, and Serena in PORGY AND BESS, just made her role debut as Isolde, the first time she's ever sung a Wagner…
Wagner Reads Gottfried's TRISTAN (with Annegret Oehme) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:13
Annegret Oehme, Associate Professor of German Studies at the University of Washington, discusses TRISTAN UND ISOLDE with Jonathan Dean. Wagner's inspiration for this amazing opera was the 12th century poem by Gottfried v…
TESS ALTIVEROS & SHELLY TRAVERSE Discuss ELIXIR & More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:58
Sopranos Tess Altiveros and Shelly Traverse both have lots of Seattle Opera credits: mainstage productions (Tess sang Giannetta in this summer's ELIXIR OF LOVE; Shelly was Chan in CHARLIE PARKER'S YARDBIRD and Hero in BE…
LA TRAVIATA 101 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:45
Verdi's masterpiece returns to Seattle Opera May 2023. Initially this sumptuous, tuneful, utterly human tragedy sparked controversy, but it quickly became one of the world's most beloved operas. Seattle Opera Dramaturg J…