Wagner's Eternal Ring - The Complete Otto Schenk / James Levine Production at The Metropolitan Opera (Nancy Ellison)
© Wagner’s Eternal Ring by Nancy Ellison, Rizzoli New York, 2010
Loved by many Wagnerians who appreciated Otto Schenk for retelling the saga instead of interpreting it, the Schenk/Levine production is now celebrated with a magnificent book with lots of awesome photographs by Nancy Ellison.
The photographs show all scenes of the complete Ring "as seen through the wide eyes of an admiring new fan," as Nancy Ellison puts it in the foreword. And Ellison's admiration for the production is visible in most of the photographs, capturing the drama and the highlights with fine details and great intensity. Some of the photos would have benefitted from a smaller format, though, due to problems getting them sharp in the difficult lighting conditions. The singer's movement also causes some problems, but on the whole the book is a treat to read. I caught myself thinking that the book in a way - a bit jokingly said - is even better than the production, for I must confess that I am no fan of the Otto Schenk Ring, a production that leaves me indifferent, lacking new perspectives, not challenging me or Wagner's work..
Wagner’s Eternal Ring by Nancy Ellison, Rizzoli New York, 2010
Preface by Eva Wagner-Pasquier
Foreword by Peter Gelb.
Contributions by Otto Schenk, James Levine, and Robert Tuggle.
In association with The Metropolitan Opera
This book's primary target group are all the fans of this production, and especially in the US this Ring has many fans. For them this beautifully produced volume in full-page color photographs, complete with historical materials and a timeline culled from the Metropolitan Opera’s archives will no doubt be on the wish list for Christmas.
The Ring of the Nibelung in Otto Schenk's and set designer Günther Schneider-Siemssen's vision was photographed as it was performed in full for the last time at the Metropolitan Opera in 2009. The illustrated timeline outlines the evolution of this enduring masterpiece.
I miss a full cast list of all the singers participating from the premiere in 1986 to its last performance in 2009. It would have been great to see all the names. I am sure they are easily available in the Metropolitan archives.
About the author and contributors
Nancy Ellison is the author of Rizzoli’s In Grand Style: The Glory of the Metropolitan Opera and In Classic Style: The Splendor of American Ballet Theatre.
Eva
Wagner-Pasquier is the great-granddaughter of Richard Wagner and leader the Bayreuth Festival with Katharina Wagner. She is also senior artistic adviser at the
Metropolitan Opera.
Peter Gelb is general manager of the Metropolitan Opera.
Otto Schenk is a producer
at the Metropolitan Opera.
James Levine is the musical director at the Metropolitan Opera.
Robert Tuggle is the director of archives at the Metropolitan Opera.
“Wagner’s Ring is one of those works of art that you think you know, but every time you return to it, you find brilliant moments that hadn’t struck you with the same force before.”
James Levine, Musical Director, The Metropolitan Opera
.