Wagner’s Dream (Documentary DVD) – Met Opera
Price: $25.00 Members: $20.00
Item: 044007348406
Description
Wagner’s Dream (Documentary DVD) – Met Opera
Director: Susan Froemke
Artists: Robert Lepage, Deborah Voigt, Jay Hunter Morris, Peter Gelb, James Levine, Fabio Luisi, Artists of the Metropolitan Opera
Format: NTSC
Language: English
Subtitles: English, German, French, Spanish, Chinese
Region: All Regions
Number of Discs: 1
Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
DVD Release Date: September 11, 2012
Run Time: 114 minutes
Wagner’s Dream takes you deep into the artistic and musical challenges of the epic Der Ring des Nibelungen by Richard Wagner. Oscar-nominated documentary director Susan Froemke follows visionary theater and film director Robert Lepage as he begins a five-year journey to create the most ambitious staging in Metropolitan Opera history, featuring a 90,000-pound computerized set (“The Machine”) conceived to meet Wagner’s immense theatrical demands. The film follows heroic singers from rehearsals to performance as they take on many of the most daunting roles in opera. Soprano Deborah Voigt is torn between excitement and fear as she prepares to play the warrior goddess Brünnhilde, while unexpected drama arises as a new tenor, Jay Hunter Morris, steps in as the Ring’s hero, Siegfried – days before the production’s world premiere.
An intimate look at the challenges of live theater and the risks that must be taken, the film chronicles the tremendous creativity and unflagging determination behind this daring attempt to realize Wagner’s dream of a perfect Ring.
History
Richard Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen
Conceived and written over a period of more than 25 years, Wagner’s Ring cycle is an epic musical journey of four operas: Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung. Its story of gods, dwarves, and men and the quest for an all-powerful ring was inspired by many sources, including 13th-century Icelandic writings and the medieval German Nibelungenlied. The complete cycle was first seen at the inaugural Bayreuth Festival in 1876. The Met’s landmark production, directed by Robert Lepage, premiered over the course of the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons. The DVD release of its Live in HD presentation won the 2013 Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording.
Read 2 Reviews / Write a Review
The Lepage Ring Cycle at the Met has certainly had its fair share of flack for malfunctioning, making disruptive noises during performance, and of course having a hefty price tag. Performances aside, this in depth behind-the-scenes look at one of the most highly publicized productions in operatic history is fascinating from start to finish. I had the pleasure of watching this DVD the other day, and I have to say that from tech rehearsals to press conferences, coachings and rehearsals, this DVD gives you a sneak peek at everything you may have wondered about in the mounting of this production. Regardless of whether you are a fan of this production or not, I highly recommend this DVD!
Anonymous, September 2012This documentary is a must see as it is one of the highest achievements of our century in operatic and performing arts. It reveals the titanic work and a creative genius, which raises opera at a new level. Whether you like opera or not this breathtaking journey will give you a glimpse on how this art evolved over the centuries. Good for all ages, educational and inspiring.
Gemelie, September 2012