What can you tell me about Wagner's Ring Cycle

A.� The Ring Cycle is acknowledged as one of the greatest single operatic works ever created, and has assured its composer Richard Wagner his high place in classical music immortality.

�< xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Q.� What is so impressive about just one opera

A.� It's not one opera. It is in fact three separate operas linked together and preceded by a prologue, which means the entire work takes over seventeen hours to perform.

�

Q.� You need to take a flask and some sandwiches in then!���������

A.� The usual method of performance is to allocate one evening performance to each section, because each one takes over four hours to play, and the whole event is a marathon for orchestra and audience alike.

�

Q.� What are the operas about

A.� As you'd expect the storyline is immensely complicated, but the essence of the Cycle involves the struggle between mythical gods for control of the earth and the universe. The story is based on Norse mythology, and centres on Wotan, the king of the young gods, who has won his battle between the older rulers of the earth, and the lords of the sky. As the story unfolds it follows a complex mixture of power struggles, romance, infidelity, intrigue, with plenty of tears and battle scenes�- really everything you could want in an epic opera is included.

�

Q.� Is that why the Cycle is so popular

A.� Its popularity is certainly based on the age-old themes mentioned, which have stood dramatists and writers in good stead from the time of Shakespeare until today. If you strip away the lavish orchestral parts, the costumes and huge stage sets, you are left with the essential ingredient of any drama�- human interest that has entertained and intrigued audiences since theatre and opera began.

�

Q.� Why is the Cycle so complicated

A.� Because the Norse tales from which the story is taken are huge complex dramas involving a long list of interwoven characters. The stories have evolved from medieval times when even longer and more complicated tales of heroism and love alleviated the boredom of long Scandinavian nights,�tales which expanded as they were handed down to each new generation. Wagner's vision was to take a large section of the tales and produce it as a continuous operatic masterpiece.

�

Q.� It sounds like Wagner was a man of some imagination as well as vision.

A.� Richard Wagner lived a life as large and complicated as his most famous work. He probably found some sympathy with Siegmund, the central character of his operas, who seemed doomed to find adversity at every twist and turn of his complicated life. Wagner led a similarly traumatic existence, with a love life of complex intrigue, added to by political sympathies that didn't always suit his contemporaries.

�

Q.� Politics�- is this where Wagner's Nazi sympathies came from

A.� There is no real evidence that Wagner would have embraced the idioms of fascism�- it is more likely that the Nazi Party saw Wagner's staunch nationalism coupled with his love of honour and heroics, and decided he was a suitable role model who's attitudes should be embraced by the New Order. Hitler obviously admired Wagner's work, and his ideology, but that doesn't necessarily mean that Wagner would have returned that admiration.

�

Q,� Is it possible to see The Ring Cycle performed

A.� Performances of the entire work are not frequent, because of the sheer scale and expense of producing The Cycle on stage. The Norwegian National Opera performed the work over four nights at the Theatre Royal in Norwich in 1997. The production cost over half a million pounds, and tickets, which cost up to �345 sold out well in advance.

�

Q.� Is it worth it

A.� The Ring Cycle is acknowledged as a triumph of artistic vision in opera, and the occasions on which it is performed become cultural events in their own right. If you want to enjoy it properly, it's advisable to borrow or buy the Cycle on CD and ensure that you understand the basics of the plot, so that you can follow its immense complexity and drama throughout. If you love opera, you won't be disappointed.�

�

Got a question about music � Find an answer here.

�

����������������������������������������������������������������������By:� Andy Hughes.