OPERA SB FIRST TO RETURN TO LOBERO THEATRE WITH WAGNER EPIC DAS RHEINGOLD

Gods, giants, and dwarfs clash in a struggle for the possession of one golden ring that bestows universal power on its bearer, in the first opera of Richard Wagner’s famous Ring Cycle. Join Opera Santa Barbara as the company makes its first foray into Wagner with this one-hour-fifty-minute adaptation of Das Rheingold by Graham Vick and Jonathan Dove on Sunday, June 27 at 2:30PM at the Lobero Theatre. Tickets start at $79. 

Graham Vick and Jonathan Dove’s version of the Ring Cycle captures the mighty essence of Wagner’s masterpiece in an abbreviated time frame, with just 12 singers and 18 orchestral players. The pocket-sized miracle premiered in Birmingham, UK in 1990, and has been presented by dozens of opera companies around the world. Described by reviewers as “ear opening” and “imaginatively fresh”, the “Dove Ring” has made it possible for smaller companies to introduce this much admired but often intimidating work to new audiences in an accessible way while still satisfying Wagner fans. The plot unfolds with cinematic pace, character interactions become more intimate, and Dove’s masterful orchestral reduction beautifully reflects the splendor of the original score, while bringing out musical motives and details.

Designed by director Crystal Manich (Il Postino, 2020) with lighting and digital projections by François Pierre Couture, Opera Santa Barbara’s new production of Das Rheingold tells Wagner’s monumental tale through a zesty mix of fantasy and wit, as well as unexpected ’80s rock band approach to costuming. Bass-baritone Kyle Albertson and baritone Timothy Mix make their Opera SB debuts as Wotan and Alberich.  Opera SB favorite mezzo-soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen is Wotan’s defiant consort Fricka, while Anya Matanovich (The Crucible, 2019) returns as the beautiful Freia, the coveted goddess of love. Robert Norman returns as the cunning Loge, and the playful Rheinmaidens are portrayed by Christina Pezzarossi and Chrisman Studio Artists Brooklyn Snow and Max Potter. Nathan Stark (The Barber of Seville, 2018) and Colin Ramsey (Madama Butterfly, 2019, La Boheme, 2018) are the scorned giants, Fasolt and Fafner.  Artistic and General Director Kostis Protopapas conducts his first Wagner opera, with members of the Opera Santa Barbara Orchestra on stage.

Event and ticket information:https://www.operasb.org/events/event/das-rheingold/