Work Overview
Original story and music by Richard Wagner. Adapted and arranged by David Kram for animated multimedia.
Wagner's tetralogy The Ring of the Nibelung has been condensed to 100 minutes including one interval with a new English-language text, narrated and sung. The story is illustrated by animated projections on to a screen. From time to time singers perform key musical passages while the background remains still. Each singer enacts multiple roles.
In 2016 an even shorter version called Brunnhilde saves the World was launched, as a schools show (55 minutes in length, two singers, pre-recorded narration and accompaniments).
Work Details
Year: 2011
Instrumentation: Soprano solo, tenor solo, baritone solo, narrator, soprano saxophone (doubling alto), alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone, bassoon (doubling bass), sarrusophone (or contrabassoon), piano (or keyboard).
Duration: 100 min.
Difficulty: Advanced — Professional opera singers and instrumentalists required. There is a pre-recorded narration on demand.
Dedication note: Dedicated to Hans Henkell
Commission note: Commissioned by More Than Opera.
First performance: 2012. Convention Centre, Adelaide Fringe Festival SA
The composer notes the following styles, genres, influences, etc. associated with this work:
Related work but on a much smaller scale would be 'Peter and the Wolf'.
New English words by David Kram.
The full score has a line for the narration, (N 1 etc), Animation files (P1 etc) and some sound effects. Producers may make their own production or obtain materials from www.morethanopera.com.
Performances of this work
2013: Pyrenees Festival, Beaufort VIC
2013: Wagner Festival, Melbourne Recital Centre VIC
2013: Capital Theatre, Bendigo VIC
2012: Convention Centre, Adelaide Fringe Festival SA
User reviews
Be the first to share your thoughts, opinions and insights about this work.
To post a comment please login.