After the disappointment of Berlin, see my views here, we travelled to Bendigo to see Melbourne Opera’s version in March 2023. I was in the middle of chemotherapy, so have not felt up to writing about it until now – the day before the year ends! It started with Das Rheingold on the 24th March 2023. I have only this very poor photo of me about to head out to mark the occasion. I like to remember my outfits! We were staying, with Clare, in this very strange Airbnb in nice walking distance from the theatre, but unfortunately I found I didn’t have the energy to walk much so we ended up driving most times. However on the first evening we walked to Das Rheingold which is the shortest opera in the cycle.
We had already seen this is a stand alone opera on the 7th of February 2021 in Melbourne and my belated review of that performance is here. That was, of course, in the middle of Covid so we were very lucky to see it. Melbourne Opera is so good they managed to put on the performance with all local singers, having to replace Warwick Fyffe as Wotan because he couldn’t travel from Sydney! All the reviews of this reprisal of that production – basically the same but improved in some respects, there’d been plenty of time to think about it! – were overwhelmingly positive. Warwick Fyffe was absolutely fantastic as Wotan, and rightly received the loudest applause at curtain call. As before, the sets and costumes were terrific. Man In Chair’s review, containing terrific photos is here.
I loved the aerial rhinemaidens swinging back and forth over the singers. Loge is a terrific role for a tenor and as played by James Egglestone was wonderful. Simon Meadows was great as Alberich, this time with a better costume that complemented his height so it didn’t look so strange. I loved the projection of the dried earth behind Deborah Humble as Erda, but preferred it stationary which it was later in Siegfried. A great night in the terrific Ulumbarra Theatre in Bendigo. Here is my first picture of this cycle. Taken at the start of Die Walküre. A preview of what was to be restrained use of great imagery.
The harps on view above the orchestra were a treat to watch. Amazing music from an orchestra made up largely of very young amateurs under the expert leadership of Maestro Anthony Negus. One of the nice things about being in Bendigo was our ability to congratulate the musicians as we streamed out of the theatre.
We had also seen this opera before in Melbourne, mid pandemic in February 2022. Man In Chair’s review of that earlier production can be found here. I also blogged about it at the time which is here. It was essentially the same opera in Bendigo. What changes made were minor.I’m very glad to have seen it both times. Below Joe and I are pictured mid performance; I wore my Parisian jewels.
Here are some pictures of the curtain call. Warwick Fyffe is rightly pleased with, and being well rewarded by the audience, for his performance as Wotan. The costume really suited him and I liked the eye patch he wore in Das Rheingold but here you can see (perhaps) he has torn it from his eye when standing over Siegmund’s dead body. Overwhelmed by grief. A nice touch. Simple but effective – always the best.
Antoinette Halloran was wonderful as Brunnhilde, You had to get over the shock of seeing this character with black hair – even seeing her in the role a second time. The costume was terrific too, looking great but obviously easy for her to move around in. Beautiful, and powerful voice. She was meant to be replaced in the third cycle but after Rheingold she was back. Which says something. You can see Lee Abrahmsen as Sieglinde on the left and James Egglestone unrecognisable, back as Siegmund second on the right. They were wonderful – terrific chemistry. Sarah Sweeting was Fricka – terrific costume. The Valkyries also looked great – also accompanied (as were the Rhinemaidens in Das Rheingold) by two trapeze artists thundering back and forth above them as they made their entrance. All of the singing was first class. Below is a photo of Antoinette at curtain call.
Anthony Negus joined the cast and ensured we all congratulated the orchestra – which we did.
All in all another great night. Man In Chair’s review of Die Walküre is here. Now we are off to see Siegfried. New opera, new outfit – it’s half the fun! Not really.
This had only been performed as a concert in Melbourne and I had forgotten about it completely! Surprising since I love concert performances of operas. Lee Abrahmsen was Brunnhilde and she is always fantastic. Here is my photo – that confirms I was there – a blurry one of the curtain call. Wonderful singing. Great venue. Standing ovation.
And here is a picture of the cast celebrating backstage after the event (I think). I suspect I got this off Twitter.
Man In Chair confirms the concert was terrific and includes photos here. In Bendigo, apart from Lee Abrahmsen we had the same cast. Our Brunnhilde was Annette Halloran again, seen here in the photo below of the cast at curtain call in the middle beside Brian Daley as Siegfried and Warwick Fyffe as Wotan the Wanderer. It was all terrific.
That’s the Woodbird on the left in the photo above. Rebecca Rashleigh has a truly thrilling voice, perfect for the role. Next are: Alberich – Simon Meadow not looking too tall, Mime – Robert Mcfarlane – who we’ve seen singing Bach which is quite a difference – Brian Daley as Siegfried – terrific and in full voice to the end, Erda – magnificent Deborah Humble, and Steven Gallop as Fafner. All really wonderful. Man In Chair’s Siegfried review is here. Finally it was time for Götterdämmerung. Never staged or sung by this company before. How would they go?
To my delight we were called into the theatre by the brass players. Great touch. Copying the Bayreuth custom though without the balcony.
Of course the whole cast was terrific. Christopher Hillier – in the garish suit to the right – as Gunther and Kerry Gill – beside him – as Gutrune – were newcomers to this cycle playing the weakling siblings perfectly. Three Norns – Dimitry Shepherd, Jordan Kahler and Eleanor Greenwood – also new in stunning costumes on the right in the picture below. Adrian Tamburini who had been Hunding was Hagen – in orange, a frequent pairing for singers. Powerful voice, great acting. I liked the fact that Brunnhilde and Siegfried are wearing the same outfits as in Siegfried – it’s the little things you notice after seeing a few Ring Cycles. Suzanne Chaundy, the director of this Ring , says she focuses on storytelling. This is Wagner’s Ring, not hers. Wish more directors felt that way. Another great thing about Bendigo was I got the chance to tell her she was terrific!
Man In Chair’s review of Götterdämmerrung is here . We’d encouraged friends to come to Bendigo to see their first Ring Cycle. They did the background research that is really necessary to get the most out of it and enjoyed it immensely. Here I am with Bill in the courtyard of the Ulumbarra Theatre. Celebrating the conclusion of a terrific week.
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