Member since:
November 16, 2005

Wagner Took Twenty-eight Years

March 01, 2006 09:48 PM EST (Updated: March 01, 2006 09:49 PM EST)

views: 7 | comments: 5

Check out your public radio station for programming in April. The BBC is going to broadcast all 15 hours of the Wagner Ring Cycle, on April 17th. This is good. It took Wagner 28 years to write all of this. It probably be impossible for anyone to sit in the opera house for 15 hours straight to hear it all. Even if you held the performances over a whole week, it might get a little hard on your tush. But here's a great way to hear this towering giant. Just think, you can crank it up with your surround sound and ENJOY! Make sure you have the day cleared and only invite opera afficienados over that day.

Tags: bbc, ring cycle, wagner, music, radio, broadcast recording, opera

To Group: Opera Lovers

recommend this

link to this page

Bookmark this post:

Comments: 5

Bert B. Mar 1, 2006, 10:34pm EST

Carol,
I am not a great "Ring" fan. I haven't seen them alll, but of course I know the story. Tolkein's "Ring" is similar.
My favorite Wagner opera...of the ones I've seen...is 'Die Meistersinger.'
.It has humor, great music and a really schmaltzy plot.
I was bored out of my gourd by 'Die Walkure.' (The Valkyrie)
Did you ever hear Anna Russel's parody of the "Ring?" It's hilarious!

reply to this comment

Ron Hall Mar 1, 2006, 11:00pm EST

"Be vewwy quayet. Aym hunteen wabbits." As much as I pretend to be an opera fan, I much prefer cartoons. I really do yearn to appreciate it, I do, I just don't have what it takes I guess. It sounds luscious.

reply to this comment

Carol Voigts Mar 1, 2006, 11:15pm EST

Yes, Bert, I absolutely love Anna Russel's old recordings. and love that one. Have they been released again on dvd yet?
Ron, I'm twiyin to count da wabbits too.

reply to this comment

Susan Reynolds Mar 1, 2006, 11:33pm EST

This might be an amazing opportunity for some and a huge challenge for others. Maybe a bit of both for me. But a good thing to know about in any case, Carol. Thanks.

reply to this comment

John F Walter Apr 4, 2006, 8:16pm EDT

What's even more amazing is that he theorized about writing all those musical pieces before he composed a single note. Books of theory about creating a masterpiece, and then he did it. Now that is a well synchronized, purposeful brain.

reply to this comment