Richard Wagner

Stephen Gould obituary

Tenor whose robust and attractive tone enhanced a thrillingly heroic delivery

Barry Millington

05, Oct, 2023 @3:02 PM

Das Rheingold review – uncluttered staging is a compelling start to Kosky’s Ring cycle

With the figure of earth goddess Erda present throughout, the message – of the despoliation of the natural world – is clear. There’s no weak link in a uniformly strong cast, and in the pit Pappano has the measure of Wagner’s grandeur and intimacy

Andrew Clements

12, Sep, 2023 @11:12 AM

‘The most dangerous stage I’ve ever been on’: the wildest performances of Wagner’s Ring

Gods! Dragons! Horned helmets! Swords! Valkyries! The 15-hour apocalyptic epic is about to explode onto the Royal Opera stage. But what’s the best way to tackle ‘the ultimate opera’?

Stuart Jeffries

06, Sep, 2023 @3:46 PM

Graham Clark obituary

Tenor who loved exploring dramatic possibilities in Wagner with imaginative directors at Bayreuth and Covent Garden

Barry Millington

26, Jul, 2023 @4:10 PM

The Flying Dutchman review – Wagner updated to England’s dystopian present

With a people-smuggling mariner, vigilant volunteers helping those seeking asylum and a setting evoking prison hulks, Lucy Bradley’s reworking is a sharp reflection of our island nation

Rian Evans

06, Jul, 2023 @11:30 AM

The week in classical: Dialogues des Carmélites; Tristan und Isolde; LSO/Rattle – review

Poulenc’s shattering opera disturbs and confounds in Barrie Kosky’s new Glyndebourne production; Wagner meets the pre-Raphaelites at Grange Park Opera. Plus, a thrilling farewell from Simon Rattle

Fiona Maddocks

17, Jun, 2023 @11:30 AM

Götterdämmerung review – conductor Anthony Negus is the lord of this Ring

The conductor’s authority and understanding permeate every bar, but the whole cast excel in this deeply satisfying production

Rian Evans

30, May, 2023 @3:06 PM

An epic opera in Bendigo? Wagner’s ‘monumental’ Ring Cycle takes over a regional town

With 130 performers and crew, five tonnes’ worth of set and a 15-hour show on loop, it’s an unprecedented – and ambitious – five weeks for a company to take on

Tim Byrne

29, Mar, 2023 @2:00 PM

RPO/Petrenko review – dazzling Scriabin and spine-tingling Wagner

After a sombre opening, the ecstasies promised in the evening’s theme were reached with Wagner and Scriabin. The Royal Philharmonic and its new conductor are clearly enjoying themselves in this imaginative and accessible season

Martin Kettle

09, Feb, 2023 @5:42 PM

Tannhäuser review – Lise Davidsen gleams though Albery’s Wagner misfires again

Tim Albery’s second revival only fitfully illuminates the opera’s complexities, but the singing and acting are superb

Tim Ashley

30, Jan, 2023 @12:31 PM

Das Rheingold review – Regents Opera’s lean and mean Wagner packs a punch

Ben Woodward’s chamber arrangement of Wagner’s score works well and, if the storytelling feels unclear at points, players and singers alike ensure a vivid experience

Erica Jeal

14, Nov, 2022 @12:52 PM

The Ring Cycle review – ideas-free patchwork staging signals Bayreuth’s fading authority

Valentin Schwarz’s new staging of Wagner’s epic has some thought-provoking moments, but few were sustainable and most were just distracting