We saw Das Rheingold last night. It was extraordinary! It is beyond my capabilities to describe the experience; I am not a Wagnerian expert by any means. The fusion of music and drama is intense; the two and half hours flew by. Our seats are very much on the side in the back of a box, almost directly above the orchestra, so we don't see everything on the stage, but we hear the orchestra and singers with incredible clarity and presence. And as Wagner said, "we can hear what we don't see." The LePage production for the most part is stunning, with a few silly and awkward moments. The much discussed stage machine is spectacular in person, and creates amazing scene transitions. The singers are sometimes singing while perched on a stage at a steep angle; they are tied to some kind of ropes that hold them in place.
Vera, who has seen all the productions in the HD broadcasts, says it is "10 times better live than on the screen". We can't wait for more....
We had drinks and a snack (fried artichokes for me!) outside across from Lincoln Center with David and some friends, and stayed there until 1 AM.
pictures... (Not taken by me....)
