It is hardly surprising that Wagner was dissatisfied with certain aspects of the Ring cycle’s execution at the first Bayreuth Festival. The result was arguably the single most ambitious artwork of the 19th century. Wagner aimed to immerse the audience in a ‘total work of art’ which fully integrated text, music, scenography and performance. The Ring circles around the conflicting impulses of power and love as it takes us from the birth of the world to its ending – and the possibility of a new beginning. Wagner himself described his works as ‘music drama’ but, like the first composers of opera, he found inspiration in myth (Norse-Germanic in his case), and, like them, he repurposed ideas about ancient Greek theatre. ![]() ![]() The Ring cycle – three operas, plus a ‘preliminary evening’ – was first performed over five days in August 1876 at the theatre Wagner had built specifically for the purpose in the small Bavarian town of Bayreuth. The Milanese audiences soon warmed up however, and by the end of the century, Norma had been performed in 35 countries in 16 different languages.ġ876: Der Ring des Nibelungen by Richard Wagner A cycle of operas Unfortunately, it only received a lukewarm reception on the first night at La Scala. When the time was up, Pasta decided that none were required. Apparently she was none too keen on it at first, so Bellini made her a deal: if, after she’d practiced it every day for a week, she still had doubts, he would rewrite the number to suit her better. Its most famous number is ‘Casta diva’ (‘Chaste goddess’) sung by the opera’s heroine. Norma is a classical tragedy set in Gaul during the Roman occupation. He was one of the finest purveyors of the ‘bel canto’ (literally, beautiful singing) tradition. Recently, the Chicago Tribune praised OTSL as “the go-to summer festival for audience members seeking interesting, varied repertory.” Opera Today also praised OTSL’s legacy of innovation, saying, “If opera is to remain a viable, accessible 21st century art form, it will be largely owing to the commitment of visionary companies like Opera Theatre of Saint Louis.1831: Norma by Vincenzo Bellini Bel CantoĪlong with Rossini, Donizetti and, a little later, Verdi, Bellini helped establish the tradition of Italian Romantic opera that, for many people, goes to the heart of what opera is all about. Notable alumni include Jamie Barton, Larry Brownlee, Vinson Cole, Christine Goerke, Susan Graham, Denyce Graves, Thomas Hampson, Patricia Racette, Morris Robinson, and many more. The annual roster of the Metropolitan Opera regularly includes as many as 60 artists whose have previously appeared at OTSL. ![]() OTSL also cultivates backstage talent through the Emerson Behind the Curtain Program and the Larry & Jinny Browning Technical Fellowships. More than 1,000 aspiring singers apply every year to join OTSL’s Young Artist Programs. Opera Theatre has a long tradition of discovering and nurturing the finest artists of the next generation. In 2021, this opera would open the Metropolitan Opera’s 2021 season - the first work by a Black composer to be seen on the Met’s stage. In 2019, Opera Theatre premiered the opera Fire Shut Up in My Bones by Terence Blanchard. In 2011, Opera Theatre received critical acclaim for its production of John Adams’ The Death of Klinghoffer. In 1983, Opera Theatre became the first American company to perform at the Edinburgh Festival. Louis Symphony Orchestra were playing in the pit for all productions.
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