"Das Rheingold" Opens Friday at Union Avenue Opera

Baritone Jordan Shanahan as Alberich
Photo © Ron Lindsey, 2012, All rights reserved.

Union Avenue Opera begins a four-year odyssey in presenting Richard Wagner's Das Rheingold, the first of the composer's epic Ring Cycle. Condensed and reduced by English composer Jonathan Dove, this adaptation retains the essence of Wagner while making it accessible to UAO’s intimate setting.

A saga of epic proportion replete with giants, gods, goddesses and a dragon, Das Rheingold opens in the waters of the river Rhine, where three Rhine-maidens guard the river’s magical gold. Enraged by their scorn, conniving dwarf Alberich steals enough of this precious metal to forge a ring that gives its bearer unimaginable power. Meanwhile Wotan and Loge, two powerful gods, conspire to steal the gold as ransom for the goddess Freia who has been kidnapped by the giants. The ensuing struggle for possession of the ring drives this dramatic opera.

Composer
Jonathan Dove

Composer Jonathan Dove originally wrote this condensed and reduced version for Opera Birmingham with the intent that all four operas could be performed in the span of two nights and sung in an English translation. When deciding how UAO would present all four operas, Artistic Director Scott Schoonover chose to present one opera per season through 2015 and, in accordance with the company's mission statement, have the libretto sung in the original German.

This will be the third time the Ring Cycle has been performed in St. Louis. Patricia Rice of the St. Louis Beacon reports that the last two were brought here in 1889 and 1930 by the touring German Opera Company.

THE CAST

Union Avenue Opera presents several familiar artists: Bass-Baritone Kevin Misslich (title role in 2005's Falstaff) sings the role of the god Wotan. Mezzo-Soprano Elise Quagliata (Sister Helen Prejean in last season's Dead Man Walking) sings the role of the goddess Fricka, Wotan's wife. Tenor Marc Schapman (Acis in April's Acis and Galatea) sings the role of fire god Loge. Soprano Joy Boland (Emilia in 2008's Otello) sings the role of the goddess Freia. Tenor Clark Sturdevant (Father Grenville in Dead Man Walking) sings the role of Froh. Mezzo-soprano Cecelia Stearman (Mrs. Boucher in Dead Man Walking) sings the role of earth goddess Erda. Bass-Baritone Todd von Felker (Samuel in July's Un Ballo in Maschera) sings the role of the giant Fasolt. Baritone Jordan Shanahan (Joseph de Rocher in Dead Man Walking) sings the role of the dwarf Alberich.

Megan Hart, Elizabeth Beers-Kataria,
Katja Heuzeroth & Jordan Shanahan

Photo © Patrick Huber, 2012,
All rights reserved.

Five artists make their UAO debut. As the three Rhinemaidens: Sopranos Elizabeth Beers-Kataria (Woglinde), Megan Hart (Wellgunde) and Mezzo-Soprano Katja Heuzeroth (Floßhilde). Bass-Baritone Nikolas Wenzel sings the role of the giant Fafner. Baritone John Maynard sings the role of the god Donner.

THE CREW

UAO Artistic Director Scott Schoonover conducts. Stage Director Karen Coe Miller makes her Union Avenue Opera debut. Allyson Ditchey serves as Stage Manager. The Design team includes Set Designer Patrick Huber, Projection Designer Michael B. Perkins, Costume Designer Teresa Doggett. Pianist Nancy Mayo serves as production répetiteur.

OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION

Want a chance to hobnob with cast and crew of Das Rheingold on Opening Night? UAO hosts an Opening Night Reception on August 17 after the performance at Tavern of Fine Arts. Click here for more information!

WAGNER LECTURE SERIES

UAO's FREE Educational Series continues Thursday night, August 16 at 7:00pm at Union Avenue Opera, with Scott Stearman's lecture On God, Gods, and Ecstatically Singing for Sex: Wagner’s Love of Love in the Ring Cycle. Glen Bauer, Ph.D., Associate Chair of the Webster University Music Department will also give lectures one hour before each Friday performance (August 17/24) at Union Avenue Opera. All lectures are FREE and open to ticket holders and the general public.

Das Rheingold opens August 17 and runs August 18, 24, 25 at Union Avenue Opera, 733 N. Union Blvd. All performances begin at 8:00pm. Production sung in German with projected English supertitles. Tickets may be purchased online at www.unionavenueopera.org or by calling 314-361-2881.