Das Rheingold – Opera North

THREE years ago Opera North began a presentation of all four parts of Richard Wagner’s Ring in successive years with great success.

Now the works, together known as Der Ring Des Nibelungen, are being presented together twice over the course of five weeks at Leeds Town Hall, conducted by Richard Farnes and directed by Peter Mumford.

Das Rheingold is the shortest of the four, last to be conceived and first performed in Munich 1869 with the complete Ring in Bayreuth in 1876.

This is considerably more than a concert experience, showcasing the orchestra of Opera North at its best as the central character of the Ring and creating dramatic space and atmosphere.

The Rhine is enhanced by backcloth and the gradual build-up of the Prelude containing 136 bars over the chord of E flat, probably the longest drone in musical history.

The orchestra produced ravishing playing in all sections but particularly in the vastly-important inner sections.

The 123-strong orchestra included quadruple woodwind eight anvils and six harps.

The Rhine maidens Woglinde and Wellgunde, powerful sopranos Jeni Bern and Madeleine Shaw, guard a lump of magic gold along with Flosshide (Sarah Castle) singing less powerfully.

Alberich (Jo Pohlheim), the churlish leader of the dwarfs, curses love and typically steals the gold.

Anyone who renounces love and fashions the ring from the gold will become the master of the world, the basis of Wagner's long libretto.

The scheming chief god Wotan was sung by the exceptional Michael Druiett and the chief giants Falsat and Fafher formed a truly formidable partnership vocally.

The packed hall was extremely appreciative of soloists and orchestra and we must look forward to Valkyrie, Siegfried and Götterdämmerung in the following weeks

• Visit leedstownhall.co.uk or call 0113 376 0318 for dates and to check ticket availability.

John Pettitt