Castorf's Bayreuth Ring - Die Walkure in photos

Die Walküre is set in Baku.

Credits:
Conductor Kirill Petrenko
Director Frank Castorf
Stage Design Aleksandar Denić
   
Hunding Franz-Josef Selig
Wotan Wolfgang Koch
Siegmund Johan Botha
Sieglinde Anja Kampe
Brünnhilde Catherine Foster
Fricka Claudia Mahnke
Gerhilde Allison Oakes
Ortlinde Dara Hobbs
Waltraute Claudia Mahnke
Schwertleite Nadine Weissmann
Helmwige Christiane Kohl
Siegrune Julia Rutigliano
Grimgerde Geneviève King
Rossweisse Alexandra Petersamer

UPDATE - A first night review (in English) from journalist Simon Morgan.

More photos:

  Photos: Bayreuther Festspiele/Enrico Nawrath

Comments

[Liane]

Wer, bitte, singt Siegmund??

[SJT]

Johan Bloater

[Les Mitchell]

Johan Bohta's grotesque tonnage is a far cry from Jonas Kaufmann in the same role. Jonas not only sings better, but is positively fabulous looking as Seigmund. It seems that when Kaufmann isn't available, they opt for Bohta, who's clearly on the second and even third rung of the pecking order. Also, watch out for Brandon Jovanovich, who's going to be as fine as Seigmund as Kaufmann. The days of the fat bloated tenors are clearly over.

[SJT]

Not at Covent Garden they're not.

Jovanovich I've heard as the Prince in Rusalka and Don José; and though the sound is agreeable and the heft impressive, in neither role was he happy very much above the stave. So Siegmund will certainly suit him; but the likes of Tannhauser and the Emperor will equally certainly not.

[Sheila]

It's not Botha's girth that's the real issue; it's his refusal to act. If he'd prefer a concert career, then he should pursue one.

[Will]

Actually I was lucky enough to be at this. Botha sang superbly, the best I've ever heard him sing but it really is a problem for me when he's on an operatic stage as as Sheila says he can't act, though he did attempt it here facially at least. Castorf has video cameramen on stage following the characters at certain points when they are within the set eg at Siegmund's death when his face was on screen.
I think directors have to adapt with him eg the Tim Albery Tannhauser at ROH and it is restricting.
Kampe sang really well, the best Sieglinde I've heard and even better than at the Prom earlier in the week. Selig is one of the best basses in the world, his Daland in Dutchman was as powerful as his Hunding was here - another singer whom we never hear at Covent Garden.
The big question of course was Catherine Foster whose Bayreuth debut this was as Brunnhilde. In Act 2 in her dialogue with Siegmund she sang very quietly, I don't have a score to hand so I'm not sure what Wagner wrote and she seemed nervous. Her reward from some idiots at the curtain was to be booed. However in Act 3 she was superb, a full round tone,stable, secure and moving. She'll get better and I'd love to hear her in London. She got a wonderful ovation at the end of Act 3 with no booing. Petrenko in the pit got power, sensitivity and feeling from this wonderful orchestra.
I like Koch. He doesn't have the heft or power of some Wotans but you can hear every word of the text and he colours what he sings, he was so moving in the third Act. I can't comment on Rheingold as I didn't see it.

[SJT]

"I like Koch."

Then you're in very good company hereabouts...