Opera North, England's award-winning National Opera Company in the North, announces an ambitious extension to its highly acclaimed series of "Opera in Concert", with performances of Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung to be given over a 4 year period commencing in 2011. Devised by Opera North in partnership with The Sage Gateshead and Symphony Hall Birmingham,  where performances will be given in addition to those at the Leeds Town Hall and The Lowry Salford Quays, The Cycle begins in June 2011 with Das Rheingold. Performances of Die Walküre and Siegfried are scheduled to follow in successive years, culminating with Götterdämmerung in 2014. Since 2005, "Opera in Concert" has become a strong feature of the Company's work - Duke Bluebeard's Castle, Nabucco, Salome and most recently Elektra, mostly under the baton of Opera North Music Director, Richard Farnes, who will also conduct The Ring. By taking work into the concert hall the Company has been able to extend its repertoire to include works which are, more often than not, challenging to stage in many of the regular Opera North theatres. Most notably, the recent performances of Elektra, starring Susan Bullock, sealed Richard Farnes' reputation as one of the country's most versatile and talented opera conductors. Opera North is also delighted to announce that Richard Farnes has committed to remain the Company's Music Director until 2014.
A search for new Wagner singers!
A key part of this project will be to establish new talent for this demanding repertoire from both the UK and abroad. Opera North will be joined by Sir John Tomlinson as an Artistic Consultant on The Ring project. The intention is to create a unique blend of experienced artists alongside those learning and performing roles for the first time. As part of the preparation period for each opera, the Company will offer extended coaching to singers and public masterclasses, to be held in the Howard Assembly Room in Leeds, Opera North's new recital hall, as well as in Birmingham, Gateshead and London. Casting will be announced at the time of the Opera North 2010/2011 Season announcement in April 2010.
Richard Farnes, Music Director, Opera North:
"This will be the first time in Opera North's history that we will be able to bring The Ring to our audiences across the North and the Midlands and reaffirms our commitment to the development of talent and to providing opportunity for emerging artists. These are some of the most challenging operatic roles in any repertoire. In the Orchestra of Opera North we have one of the most versatile and talented orchestral ensembles in the country and no other UK orchestra is as equally at home in the pit and on the concert platform. I believe this is a fantastic opportunity for them to play repertoire which has so far eluded our programming."
project."