Marathon shows set for Wagner’s magnum opus

OPERA lovers from around the world will descend on Bendigo over six weeks to witness three mammoth performances of Wagner’s four-opera, 17-hour Ring Cycle, presented by Melbourne Opera.

Each Ring Cycle will be staged over two consecutive weekends at Ulumbarra Theatre between late March and the end of April.

The $5 million extravaganza involves more than 250 Australian singers, musicians, creatives and technicians, and is the first 100 per cent Australian production of the piece since 1913.

More than half of the full cycle tickets, starting at $900 a pop, have already been purchased, 30 per cent of which will be interstate and international visitors to the region.

The cast includes Warwick Fyfe returning as Wotan, Antoinette Halloran and Zara Barrett in the shared role of Brünnhilde, Bradley Daley as Siegfried, Lee Abrahmsen as Sieglinde and Freia, Simon Meadows as Alberich, James Egglestone as Siegmund and Loge, and Adrian Tamburini as Hunding and Hagen.

A pivotal part of the Ring Cycle is the Siegfried opera, which director Suzanne Chaundy, as she prepares to embark on the one month and a half survival of the fittest, evokingly describes.

“Siegfried emerges, both literally and metaphorically, from darkness to light as he pieces together who he is and meets his destiny,” Chaundy said.

“We will tell this tale as an adult fairy-tale, full of mythical horror and deep-seated psychological yearning.”

The totally epic Ring Cycle Cultural Festival takes place between 24 March and 30 April. Further information can be found via bit.ly/3ZMwe40.