There is hardly a more competent and equipped institution today than the Metropolitan Opera for bringing the nearly impossible visual demands of those works borne of limitless imagination to the stage, and bringing to life the combined sound and theatrical experience of these artistic creations. What is more, the direction of Robert Lepage is simply amazing. The opera, known for the Feuerzauber in the closing scene, is conducted by Philippe Jordan, who worked as an assistant to the great Wagner conductors Daniel Barenboim and Jeffrey Tate before his own career began its upward trajectory in the 2000s - he was just 28 when he first took the stage at the New York Metropolitan Opera!
The personalities in this sweeping story kneaded together from various pieces of Germanic mythology create a forcefield of incredible concentration that seems to bring the theatre the the boil with its dramatic glow. It is not at all easy to find the right cast of characters for this work, but this production will leave audiences wanting for nothing. The two lovers - who are, it later turns out, actually siblings - are played by Eva-Maria Westbroek and Stuart Skelton. Christine Goerke takes the stage in the title role, a Valkyrie who rejects the commands of her father, while the chief god Wotan, who favours her, is brought to life by Greer Grimsley. The fearsome figure of Hunding, the cruel hunter, is taken on by Günther Groissböck.
The 'Metropolitan Opera Live in HD” transmissions have been made possible through the cooperation of our partner, Cikánek Management.