A journey to another realm begins
Das Rheingold introduces the central characters and themes, which are developed further as the story continues. According to Wagner, Das Rheingold was “the preliminary evening of a stage festival play”.
Autumn 2019Das Rheingold
Richard Wagner
The new Finnish Ring
Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelungs), also called the Ring cycle, is an opera tetralogy composed by Richard Wagner. Ever since this extraordinary work saw its world premiere in Bayreuth in 1876, it’s been counted among the greatest artistic achievements of Western culture. The Ring is based on ancient German and Nordic tales. The four operas are set in a mythical world, but their themes are equally pertinent in the modern day.
Alberich steals the gold guarded by the Rheinmaidens from the river Rhein. He renounces love and forges the gold into a ring, which will give its bearer unlimited power. Wotan, the ruler of the gods, however, also longs for absolute power.
Recommended for children over the age of 12.
“The staging must match the grandeur of Wagner’s music. Traditionally, the Ring is a story about love, revenge, power and greed. Behind this epic narrative, however, there are even greater themes: questions and answers about mythology, faith and consciousness. I want my direction to be as layered as the music.”
– Anna Kelo, Director
In payment for building the castle Valhalla, the giants Fafner and Fasolt demand that the ruler of the gods Wotan surrender either the goddess of youth Freia or the golden treasure stolen by the dwarf Alberich from the maidens of the Rhine. Wotan uses his cunning to secure the gold for himself instead. Alberich’s brother Mime has used the gold to fashion a magic helmet which allows the wearer to
change shape. Wotan entices Alberich to prove its transformative powers by changing into a toad. Alberich is easily trapped and forced to give up his treasure. He bitterly puts a death curse on the ring. The giants are given the Rhine gold in exchange for Freia, whom they have kidnapped, but Alberich’s curse soon takes effect. They begin to fight over the treasure and Fafner ultimately kills Fasolt.
A full synopsis and background information are available in the programme booklet.
Music
Richard Wagner
Conductor
Director
Anna Kelo
Sets, lighting design, video design
Mikki Kunttu
Costumes
Erika Turunen
Wotan
Fricka
Loge
Freia
Donner
Froh
Alberich
Mime
Fafner
Fasolt
Erda
Woglinde
Wellgunde
Flosshilde
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Season tickets 2019–2020 are sold out.
Sweet and savoury treats
Choose your favourite refreshments from this season’s tasty menu. You can easily add refreshments to your shopping basket while selecting tickets in our new online store.
Please note that this performance has no intermission. The services of the Opera Restaurant are available before performance.
Please note that we cannot guarantee a specific table for orders made via the online store. We may also seat several parties at the same table. You may be assigned a bar height table for enjoying refreshments standing up.
The purpose of Esa-Pekka Salonen's fund is to support new opera and ballet arts with a particular focus on technology. The fund provides financial support as well as awards, grants and stipends to individuals involved in the work of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet. It supports commissions of new compositions and multimedia productions, as well as other projects in line with the fund’s purpose. The fund may also make donations to the Foundation of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet
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