The Opera Tattler

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SF Opera’s Götterdämmerung Cycle 2

Sfopera-goetterdaemmerung-act3-final * Notes * 
Cycle 2 of Der Ring des Nibelungen at San Francisco Opera concluded with Götterdämmerung (final scene of Act III pictured left, photo by Cory Weaver) today. The orchestra was in fine form under Donald Runnicles. The bass clarinet, harp, and trumpet sounded especially wonderful. The chorus did well, and the male chorus sounded more together in Act III.

It was less easy to discern which words Andrea Silvestrelli continued to impress as Hagen. Ian Storey’s voice did not disappear this time as he sang Siegfried. He seemed flat at times, but he did sound warm. Nina Stemme was simply amazing as Brünnhilde. There were times when she might have been difficult to understand as far as the enunciation of her words, but the emotional import was never lost. The last scene was splendid, Stemme and orchestra sounded incredibly beautiful.

* Tattling * 
There were no seats left in the house, and standing room was crowded. Because of the Pride festivities, there were many late-comers, most of whom seemed very irritated that they could not take their seats during the 1 hour and 50 minutes of the Prologue and Act I. A watch alarm was noted during Act I. Snoring was also heard in both Acts I and II.

As part of my Rheinmaiden costume I carried a fishbowl with gold marbles in it. One of the ushers deliberated on whether I would be allowed into the standing room area in the balcony with the marbles, as I was told I might make noise with them, and I was told I had to be very careful. After entering the balcony I was immediately asked if the marbles were food by another usher. Ironically, the usher in the center aisle spoke a great deal, as she told people they could not take their seats (if they were late), return to their seats (if they went to the restroom), or stand in the aisle unless they were ushers (as they would be a fire hazard). Obviously she was just trying to do her job and follow the rules, but the amount of talking aloud was distracting.

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15 responses to “SF Opera’s Götterdämmerung Cycle 2”

  1. Roberto Avatar
    Roberto

    Hi OT,
    After I praised Francesca Zambello for her vision on Der Walkure, the truth is that this Ring is quite uneven. This is the “American Ring”, after all. It would have been a great opportunity to talk about the Ring’s central themes: greed and decadence. I was sure that they would tell the Ring with the American perspective. As it turned out, what we had instead was just the sensation of a missed opportunity.
    I still think that Der Walkure was consistent. The second act was very good with the Valhalla as a skyscraper. On Siegfried, Mime’s trailer and the contrast of Wotan between a CEO and a bum were interesting. And that’s pretty much the “American” on this Ring.
    Speaking of consistency, there was nothing as inconsistent as this production of Gotterdammerung. The only thing that caught my eyes was the Gibichung Hall. It was conventional, but at least it was pretty. Everything else was between conventional and amateurish. The idea of the rhinemaidens collecting garbage in the river could have been better executed. One problem is there was no suggestion that they were in a river. They could have been in the Hudson or even here in the San Francisco Bay. They should be in America. This is the “American Ring” for G’d sake!
    The end could not be more uneventful. That fire didn’t create any dramatic impact. If someone doesn’t know the story, I wonder if it was clear what was going on. I shouldn’t even mention that those that sat in the galleries could see Siegfried walking on the lower stage after they dump him in the “fire”. But anyway…
    Zambello emphasis was on some comical aspects of the Ring. I don’t blame the audience to laugh loudly at several moments. There were enough hints that the audience should have responded like that.
    I also disagree with the optimistic message at the end with the boy planting a tree. I don’t see optimism at all in the Ring. Actually, the Ring is totally anti-optimistic. I don’t even agree that love is the answer in the Ring universe.
    As for the singers, Nina Stemme once again with all the stamina and endurance necessary for Brunhilde. She is really an amazing singer.
    Andrea Silvestrelli also had an outstanding performance. This is a singer that comes here every once in a while (I was lucky to see him singing Osmin replacing an ailing Peter Rose) and he is always no less than remarkable. I wonder if he ever tried Philipo II (Don Carlo). I would like to see him singing that one day. I think that he can make it.
    We don’t need two hands to count how many people in the world can sing Siegfried. Maybe I don’t need any finger at all. Ian Storey was way better than Jay Hunter Morris, but he didn’t impress me. I never felt he was in the center of attention. While I hope never see Jay Hunter Morris as Siegfried again, at least he claimed the stage.
    Daveda Karanas was an excellent Waltraute and the three rhinemaidens were the most beautiful rhinemaidens ever assembled. They sang pretty good too!
    That was Runnicles best day out of the four performances. The orchestra was in much better shape and finally we had some moments of exquisite playing and inspired sounds.

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  2. antontsai Avatar
    antontsai

    I didn’t quite sure of the meaning of tattle, so here’s what Apple dictionary says. tattle ORIGIN late 15th cent. (in the sense [falter, stammer,] also [make meaningless sounds,] referring to a small child): from Middle Flemish tatelen, tateren, of imitative origin.
    so the word was actually born around the same time when opera as an art form was born.

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  3. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Hi Roberto! I found that ending a bit trite. Though I do find the music at the end optimistic. The orchestra has consistently sounded best in Götterdämmerung, perhaps they spent the most time on this opera?

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  4. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    That’s very funny, thanks for the information.

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  5. Roberto Avatar
    Roberto

    Yes. After I wrote my comments, I rethought what I wrote. The Ring indeed ends on a high note. I think I just frustrated with that end.

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  6. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    It was pretty hard not to groan at, wasn’t it? My friends were joking a few weeks ago about how we should just have little kids planting saplings at the end of every opera.

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  7. Roberto Avatar
    Roberto

    🙂 🙂 🙂

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  8. Lilacrobin Avatar
    Lilacrobin

    After ANY “Ring”, but particularly after a truly great and heartfelt one, when the last bars of Götterdämmerung are played…..it always hurts….be it a postive or negative ending……one has lived with all of these beings – Gods or Mortals – for four days – one has embraced their passions and their frailites….one is NEVER pleased at the outcome…. the only real joy comes in the knowledge that one HAS seen it – and hopefully one will see it again – it lives on in your ♥, your mind and in your ears forever.
    All of the comments here prove it to be so….
    Counting down to Morgen….
    ♥ Robin ♥

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  9. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Cycle 2 was gorgeous.

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  10. CruzSF Avatar
    CruzSF

    Lilacrobin, cycle 2 was my first Ring, and this Gotterdammerung was the first time I’d heard it in its entirety (much less the first time I’d seen it live). So I had no idea what to expect yesterday, especially at the Immolation scene and the Deluge. I must admit I was a little let-down, but I chalk that up to having a wild imagination that visualized the most spectacular stage effects. I attended with 5 others, almost all of whom had seen other Ring productions. They said they’d really never seen a satisfactory Immolation scene…
    Anyway, I agree with you that the cycle is very effective (moving and thought-provoking) even if some of a production’s staging fails even on its own terms. I’m very glad I saw this production, in any event.

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  11. Lilacrobin Avatar
    Lilacrobin

    CruzSF,
    This production is my 7th “Ring”…and my 2nd most beloved. (This counts two in Bayreuth and one in Munich.) I feel you and your friends are truly fortunate to have seen this one… one of my “Bayreuth Rings” had all the flash and splash and sparkle at the end – BUT…what came before was really poorly acted and sung….(and a huge disappontment for one who had travelled so far..) What really counts is the continuity of the whole four operas… going forward, you will always remember this – your first and most excellent Ring! This will inspire you and your friends to try another one…..perhaps Seattle, next year?
    ♥ Robin ♥

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  12. CruzSF Avatar
    CruzSF

    Thanks, Robin. I’m already planning a visit to Seattle for their next Ring (I have it down for 2013, though).
    I sensed that I was present for something special. It being my first one, the modern staging didn’t upset me, and I thought it (mostly) had a good, logical flow. The singing was at a consistently high level, even with a few weak points from some of the principals (but I didn’t have a problem hearing Delavan from my seat, although others in my group weren’t so lucky — we didn’t sit together).
    I’m still so hyped up, I’m looking for other Rings to go and see. What I’ve seen of the new Met production doesn’t thrill me. I might have to resort to DVDs for the time being.

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  13. Lilacrobin Avatar
    Lilacrobin

    CruzSF..you are right….the Seattle Ring IS in 2013….(sigh….just eager anticipation)… I am so happy you were thrilled to see our Ring….
    DVD’s are wonderful reminders of what it is all about…..but now, that you have witnessed a live Ring….you will carry this in your heart forever…and as you see more, it will only enhance the experience! Nothing can take the place of experiencing The Ring in person! (Flaws and all…)
    Hugs,
    ♥ Robin ♥

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  14. Zeno Avatar
    Zeno

    It was my privilege to host a young college student I know to his very first Ring. As a music composition major, he was eager to experience this epic work and he was enthralled throughout the many hours. One day he’ll be bragging how he got to see Nina Stemme in her prime.

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  15. The Opera Tattler Avatar
    The Opera Tattler

    Excellent!

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