Francesca Zambello: Wagner & The Ring Cycle
Explore Wagner’s Epic Drama with Luminaries of Opera & More
Renowned stage director Francesca Zambello's highly acclaimed production of Richard Wagner’s four-opera cycle “The Ring of the Nibelung,” created by a talented American design team and set in America, has been performed to rave reviews at both San Francisco Opera and Washington National Opera, where Zambello is Artistic Director.
Join her, along with San Francisco Opera’s Dramaturg Emeritus Kip Cranna, in this all-star interactive course featuring interviews, photos and video, as they explore the inner workings of Wagner's monumental "Ring" with the artists who made it happen. Each session consists of a presentation part, guest conversations, and interactive debate.
All sessions will be recorded and are available to participants for re-watching until Thu, Jan 21, 2038.
This live, interactive course will be hosted by director Francesca Zambello and in collaboration with dramaturg Kip Cranna.
Special guests include conductor Donald Runnicles, opera singers Nina Stemme, Christine Goerke, Linda Watson, Eric Owens, Greer Grimsley, Ryan McKinny, set designer Michael Yeargan, projection designer S. Katy Tucker, choreographer Denni Sayers, stage manager John Coleman, Music Administrator at Washington National Opera Ken Weiss, General Director of Opera Theatre of Saint Louis Andrew Jorgensen, Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University Alex Halliday and more.
MUSIC AND THE RING: HOW DOES WAGNER’S MUSIC FUNCTION TO SHAPE THE DRAMA OF THE RING?
DIRECTING THE RING: WHAT DOES THE “AMERICAN RING” ACTUALLY MEAN AND HOW DOES IT COME TOGETHER?
WOMEN AND THE RING: WAGNER’S WOMEN ARE THE AGENTS OF CHANGE IN THE RING. HOW AND WHY DOES BRÜNNHILDE BECOME THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD?
CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE RING: DID WAGNER’S APOCALYPTIC VIEWS PREDICT OUR CLIMATE CHANGE?
MUSIC AND THE RING
HOW DOES WAGNER’S MUSIC FUNCTION TO SHAPE THE DRAMA OF THE RING?
Wagner spent decades composing the Ring. How do we, mere mortals, begin to understand the full impact and meaning of the words and music in this monumental four-night cycle? It takes a superb and sure hand like that of Sir Donald Runnicles, working with his experienced music team, to know how to approach and interpret what is on the page. These discussions give us a chance to hear from the Maestro as well as music staff members and a casting director, as we explore how to create the sonic world of The Ring.
Special guests will include conductor Donald Runnicles, music administrator Ken Weiss, and casting director Andrew Jorgensen.
Session duration: 120 minutes
DIRECTING THE RING
DIRECTING THE RING: WHAT DOES THE “AMERICAN RING” ACTUALLY MEAN AND HOW DOES IT COME TOGETHER?
As a director, where does one even start in creating a Ring set in America? What was the point of view expressed throughout? What made it historic and contemporary? How do you rehearse four operas at once? And how do you bring structural unity and a consistent visual and dramatic arc to this vast narrative?
Special guests for this session include set designer Michael Yeargan, choreographer Denni Sayers, lighting designer Mark McCullough, and stage manager John Coleman.
Session duration: 120 minutes
WOMEN AND THE RING
WAGNER’S WOMEN ARE THE AGENTS OF CHANGE IN THE RING. HOW AND WHY DOES BRÜNNHILDE BECOME THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD?
There are eight principal females, plus three Norns, three Rhinemaidens and nine Valkyries, versus twelve male characters in total. Interestingly, Wagner made the hero of the cycle a woman. He killed off all the men and the women survive, what was he telling us? What was he saying through these goddesses and mortals?
Special guests for this session include three internationally famed sopranos who have won praise for their interpretations of Wagner's heroine Brünnhilde in Zambello's production as well as in others: Nina Stemme, Christine Goerke, and Linda Watson.
Session duration: 110 minutes
CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE RING
DID WAGNER’S APOCALYPTIC VIEWS PREDICT OUR CLIMATE CHANGE?
A devoted nature-lover, Wagner saw into the future and envisioned the destruction of our natural world caused by human greed and folly. He understood that the industrial age would have severe consequences for the planet we live on. How can Wagner’s music today have a social impact on the pressing issues around climate change?
Special guests on this session are video and projection designer S. Katy Tucker, baritone Eric Owens (Wotan and Alberich), Greer Grimsley (Wotan), Ryan McKinny (Wotan, Donner, Gunther), Alex Halliday (Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University)
Session duration: 120 minutes
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