On the good side, well, depending on how you feel about the principal singers: no cast changes announced.
On the interesting side, there's this:
San Francisco Opera presents three complete cycles of Wagner’s tetralogy—Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried and Götterdämmerung—in the acclaimed production by American director Francesca Zambello. Utilizing visuals from the American landscape, Zambello’s interpretation, which the New York Times called “boldly contemporary” at its San Francisco Opera unveiling in 2011, will include new features, including technologically advanced projections, new imagery and restudied stage action. Zambello commented: “Since directing the Ring here in 2011 and again in 2016 in Washington, D.C., I found the power of the work seems even more contemporary. The great overarching themes of the Ring—nature, love, power and corruption—resound through America's past and haunt our present. As I have worked on it I find I have placed more emphasis on the role of the family and the power of redemption through all the female characters.”There was plenty about the power of redemption through the female characters in 2011, so it'll be interesting to see what she has in mind. Of course, there are many changes to the cast: Evelyn Herlitzius in for Nina Stemme, Greer Grimsley in for Mark Delavan, Daniel Brenna in for Jay Hunter Morris and Ian Storey, Jamie Barton in for Elizabeth Bishop. Just that would likely result in staging changes.
The press release also includes announcements about many ancillary events. That's all below the cut.
WAGNER SOCIETY OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
February 3–April 7 from 1 p.m.–3:30 p.m.
Jewish Community Center of San Francisco, 3200 California Street, San Francisco
Monthly meetings of the Wagner Society of Northern California feature lectures by musicians and Wagnerian scholars on a variety of topics relating to the composer and his works. Lectures are free to Wagner Society members; a $10 donation is suggested for guests. For more information, visit wagnersf.org.
February 3: Wagner’s Ring in Popular Culture by Adrian Daub
March 17: Kirsten Flagstad and Lauritz Melchior by Jeffery McMillan
April 7: Conducting Wagner by Scott Vogelsong
OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE AT UC BERKELEY
“I Saw the World End”: Exploring Wagner’s Ring
6 Wednesday Afternoons, April 4–May 9, 2–4 p.m.
Freight and Salvage Coffee House, 2020 Addison Way, Berkeley
As San Francisco Opera prepares to mount Richard Wagner’s monumental four-opera cycle, The Ring of the Nibelung, in June 2018, San Francisco Opera Dramaturg Dr. Clifford “Kip” Cranna explores the myth, music and majesty of this unsurpassed masterpiece in six two-hour lectures. Registration for this course opens February 4. For more information, visithttps://olli.berkeley.edu/
ASIAN ART MUSEUM
Thursday, April 26 at 7 p.m.
200 Larkin Street, San Francisco
Join the curators of the Asian Art Museum for a special Thursday Nights at the Asian Art Museum event exploring the themes of Wagner’s Ring and their resonances in the Museum’s collection. Attendees at this free event are encouraged to tour the Museum’s Ring-related exhibitions by following a self-guided map tour. For more information, visit asianart.org or call(415) 581-3500.
COMMONWEALTH CLUB
Wagner’s Ring: In Conversation with Francesca Zambello and Members of the Ring Production
Monday, May 21 at 12 p.m.
110 The Embarcadero, San Francisco
The Commonwealth Club of California’s member led Arts Forum, in association with San Francisco Opera, will host a public conversation about the June 2018 presentations of Wagner’sRing at the War Memorial Opera House. The Commonwealth Club’s Arts Forum co-chair, Anne Smith, will interview Ring director Francesca Zambello and special guests about the collaborative process of bringing Wagner’s 17-hour, four-opera epic to life. For more information, visit commonwealthclub.org or call (415) 597-6705.
OVERTURE WORKSHOPS FOR ADULTS: DRINKS & DRAMA: EVERYTHING BUT THE RING
Saturday, May 19, 2:30–4 p.m.
The Sea Star, 2289 3rd Street, San Francisco
Raise a glass! San Francisco Opera Education hosts an evening of Wagnerian operas paired with specialty cocktails. Learn about Lohengrin, tangle with Tannhäuser and parse throughParsifal, all while sipping a libation concocted by mixologists from San Francisco’s The Sea Star. Photographs and video clips from the San Francisco Opera Archives and live musical performances by guest artists complete this fun and tasty overview. Drink samples and light snacks will be provided. Please note: attendees must be over 21 years of age to attend; IDs will be checked at the door. Tickets are $45 and go on sale at a later date. For more information about San Francisco Opera Education’s Overture programs, please visit sfopera.com/overture.
SAN FRANCISCO OPERA GUILD PREVIEWS
June 4–6
Simon Williams presents a series of engaging Opera Preview lectures about Der Ring des Nibelungen. An internationally recognized authority on the history of acting and Shakespearean performance, Williams has lectured worldwide on Richard Wagner, including serving as the English-language audience lecturer at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, Wagner’s theater built for the performance of his works. Presented by Guild Chapters throughout the Bay Area and in partnership with San Jose Opera Guild, each 90-minute presentation examines the structure, story, themes and characters of Wagner’s massive work. Information can be found at sfopera.com/previews.
· San Jose Opera Guild – Monday, June 4, 10 a.m. at Addison-Penzak JCC Silicon Valley, 14855 Oka Road, Suite 201, Los Gatos (Admission: Free to San Jose Opera Guild and JCC members. $10 for general public)
· Marin Chapter – Monday, June 4, 7:30 p.m. at The Redwoods, 40 Camino Alto, Mill Valley (Admission: $10)
· San Francisco Chapter – Tuesday, June 5, 12 p.m. at Koret Auditorium, San Francisco Public Library, 100 Larkin Street (Admission: Free)
· Peninsula Chapter – Tuesday, June 5, 7:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, 1140 Cowper Street, Palo Alto (Admission: $10)
· East Bay Chapter – Wednesday, June 6, 8 p.m. at Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mount Diablo Boulevard, Lafayette (Admission: $10)
RING COMMUNITY DAY
Saturday, June 9, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
John M. Bryan Education Studio, Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera
Veterans Building (4th Floor), 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
San Francisco Opera Education and San Francisco Opera Guild host a multigenerational and interactive day of activities exploring Wagner’s spectacular Ring Cycle. Ring Community Day will feature family activities, including the First Act early childhood program “Teething Ring” for families with children 2–5 years old; interactive Exploration Workshop: All About theRing for children ages 4–12; Sing-A-Story: Das Rheingold, and more.
MUSIC OF WAGNER & HIS CONTEMPORARIES
Sunday, June 10 at 4 p.m.
St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1111 Gough Street in San Francisco
Bay Area organist James Welch will perform a virtuoso program, including transcriptions from Wagner’s operas, on the 4842-pipe Fratelli Ruffatti organ at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Tickets $10 suggested donation. For tickets and more information, visit eventbrite.
CYCLE 1 EVENTS (June 12–17)
PRE-OPERA TALKS
War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
Before each performance of Cycle 1, distinguished music scholar Desiree Mays will present a 25-minute overview of the opera, with insights about the music, composer and historical background. Pre-Opera Talks are free to ticketholders and take place in the theater of the War Memorial Opera House, 55 minutes prior to curtain.
June 12, 6:35 p.m. Das Rheingold
June 13, 6:05 p.m. Die Walküre
June 15, 5:35 p.m. Siegfried
June 17, 12:05 p.m. Götterdämmerung
RING 101
Tuesday, June 12, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Taube Atrium Theater, Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera
Veterans Building (4th Floor), 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
New to the Ring? Begin your journey with an illuminating overview of the story, characters, music and history of Wagner’s four-opera epic. Ring 101 begins with an introduction by San Francisco Opera Dramaturg Dr. Clifford “Kip” Cranna. Following a break for lunch, a San Francisco Opera Archives presentation about the history of Wagner’s Ring in San Francisco from 1900–2018 and a conversation with a guest from the production will conclude the activities. Tickets are $50. For tickets and more information, visit sfopera.com/ringfestival or call the San Francisco Opera Box Office at (415) 864-3330.
RING SYMPOSIUM
Thursday, June 14, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Taube Atrium Theater, Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera
Veterans Building (4th Floor), 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
Ready to dive deeper into the Ring? Join author and opera expert Fred Plotkin for a hosted discussion with the artists of the Ring, including singers, creative team members and special guests. Note: Each Ring Symposium will feature different hosts and panelists. Tickets are $40. For tickets and more information, visitsfopera.com/ringfestival or call the San Francisco Opera Box Office at (415) 864-3330
FILM SCREENING: SING FASTER—THE STAGEHANDS’ RING CYCLE
Thursday, June 14, 2–3:30 p.m.
Taube Atrium Theater, Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera
Veterans Building (4th Floor), 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
Join Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Jon Else for this screening of Sing Faster—The Stagehands’ Ring Cycle, a behind-the-scenes look at Wagner’s ambitious epic from the point of view of San Francisco Opera’s unsung heroes, the stage crew. Winner of the prestigious Filmmaker’s Trophy at the 2000 at the Sundance Festival, Sing Faster will be followed by a hosted Q&A with the director. Tickets are $5. For tickets and more information, visit sfopera.com/ringfestival or call the San Francisco Opera Box Office at (415) 864-3330.
WAGNER CHORUS CONCERT
Thursday, June 14, 8 p.m.
Taube Atrium Theater, Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera
Veterans Building (4th Floor), 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
Members of the acclaimed San Francisco Opera Chorus will perform choral music from the operas of Richard Wagner. San Francisco Opera Chorus Director Ian Robertson conducts the singers and Associate Chorus Master Fabrizio Corona accompanies at the piano. Tickets are $35 and will go on sale February 20.
RING FORUM (CYCLE 1)
Saturday, June 16, 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Taube Atrium Theater, Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera
Veterans Building (4th Floor), 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
Presented in conjunction with the Wagner Society of Northern California, this day-long forum offers three in-depth explorations of the Ring with Wagner experts Peter Bassett, Desiree Mays and Simon Williams. Tickets are $65; or $55 for Wagner Society members (price includes a box lunch). For tickets and more information, visitsfopera.com/ringfestival or call the San Francisco Opera Box Office at (415) 864-3330.
Wagner’s Theatres
Australian writer, lecturer and broadcaster on opera, particularly the works of Wagner, Peter Bassett dives into the composer’s production inspiration through photos and models of theaters made by Gottfried Semper for Wagner in the 1860s.
Das Ende: The Endings of the Ring
Desiree Mays, resident speaker at Santa Fe Opera and author of the Opera Unveiled book series, discusses and compares the six endings Wagner considered forGötterdämmerung.
The “Deep State” of the Ring
Shakespeare and Wagner scholar Simon Williams explores the themes of tragedy, conflict between past and present and the imminence of death in the Ring.
CYCLE 2 EVENTS (June 19–24)
PRE-OPERA TALKS
War Memorial Opera House, 301 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
Before each performance of Cycle 2, San Francisco Conservatory of Music faculty member Kayleen Asbo will present a 25-minute overview of the opera, with insights about the music, composer and historical background. Pre-Opera Talks are free to ticketholders and take place in the theater of the War Memorial Opera House, 55 minutes prior to curtain.
June 19, 6:35 p.m. Das Rheingold
June 20, 6:05 p.m. Die Walküre
June 22, 5:35 p.m. Siegfried
June 24, 12:05 p.m. Götterdämmerung
RING 101
Tuesday, June 19, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Taube Atrium Theater, Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera
Veterans Building (4th Floor), 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
New to the Ring? Begin your journey with an illuminating overview of the story, characters, music and history of Wagner’s four-opera epic. Ring 101 begins with an introduction by San Francisco Opera Dramaturg Dr. Clifford “Kip” Cranna. Following a break for lunch, a San Francisco Opera Archives presentation about the history of Wagner’s Ring in San Francisco from 1900–2018 and a conversation with a guest from the production will conclude the activities. Tickets are $50. For tickets and more information, visit sfopera.com/ringfestival or call the San Francisco Opera Box Office at (415) 864-3330.
RING SYMPOSIUM
Thursday, June 21, 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Taube Atrium Theater, Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera
Veterans Building (4th Floor), 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
Ready to dive deeper into the Ring? Join artists of the Ring, including singers, creative team members and special guests for an in-depth panel discussion about Wagner’s four-part masterpiece. Note: Each Ring Symposium will feature different hosts and panelists. Tickets are $40. For tickets and more information, visit sfopera.com/ringfestivalor call the San Francisco Opera Box Office at (415) 864-3330
FILM SCREENING: SING FASTER—THE STAGEHANDS’ RING CYCLE
Thursday, June 21, 2–3:30 p.m.
Taube Atrium Theater, Diane B. Wilsey Center for Opera
Veterans Building (4th Floor), 401 Van Ness Avenue, San Francisco
Join film producer Richard Berge for this screening of Sing Faster—The Stagehands’ Ring Cycle, a behind-the-scenes look at Wagner’s ambitious epic from the point of view of San Francisco Opera’s unsung heroes, the stage crew. Winner of the prestigious Filmmaker’s Trophy at the 2000 at the Sundance Festival, Sing Faster will be followed by a hosted Q&A. Tickets are $5. For tickets and more information, visit sfopera.com/ringfestival or call the San Francisco Opera Box Office at (415) 864-3330.
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