L.A. Opera makes a 'Ring' to remember

Los Angeles Opera has now accomplished what it set out to accomplish. The company has stubbornly overcome considerable musical, theatrical, acoustical and fiscal obstacles and mounted a notable “Ring.” Not all dubious Wagnerites are Achim Freyer converts, but when the director and his team took their bows Sunday night at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, following the end of L.A.'s first "Ring" cycle, they were greeted by bellowing bravos, underpinned by a significantly dimmer low pitched roar of boos, which created a purposefully textured chord. The cast was cheered and cheered.

The saga is not over. There are two more cycles to come. But seeing "Ring" condensed to a period of nine days, rather than over the two seasons it took to produce the four individual operas of the cycle, left little doubt that, love it or hate it, the L.A. "Ring" is a landmark for L.A. and for Wagner.

For an account of the first cycle, click here.

-- Mark Swed

Related:

Complete Times coverage of the 'Ring'

Critic's Notebook: 'Siegfried' via Brecht's alienation effect

Photo: Curtain call for Los Angeles Opera's production of "Götterdämmerung," the final of Wagner's four "Ring" operas. Credit: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times.

Comments

[Artist]

It was ok but missed on many points.

[JM]

So this Ring was a big success, right? Well, I guess the fact that LA Opera has to discount tickets to this Ring is proof of its success. One big reason for the lack of boos is that many of us have already decided that this ring is not worth spending our time or money to attend. I even returned my Ring tickets. Sitting through this production once was enough for me. Really what a bore. Let's stand around and wave light sticks. That makes for great opera. Boo!

[mallory walker]

Saw Siegfried last season, and was puzzled at first, then bored by the light sabers, and commiserated with the singers(having been one myself at the Met. and LA Opera)at how difficult it made their respective tasks-severely raked stage, and gymnastic gestures, that had nothing to do with the characters. Another example of singers put at a disadvantage by a 'concept" director -designer. Opera world, take notice, never hire Mr. Feyer. He will do his best to kill the music and voices. . Mallory Walker