Richard Wagner's THE RING Summer 2018 Brochure

R I C H A R D WA G N E R

SUMMER 2018

Through myth we find humanity.

Charting an epic course from the birth of nature to the fall of the gods and the dawn of a new age, the most monumental work of art ever created returns to San Francisco. In a single week, immerse yourself in a transformative journey through a world unhinged by corruption and politics, ravaged by greed and neglect, and where the one true power is the redeeming force of love. As Wagner’s majestic music humanizes the mythic figures of legend—giants, dragons, gods and heroes—the timeless tale unfolds in San Francisco Opera’s visually spectacular production.

TUESDAY

DAS RHEINGOLD In the cycle’s prelude, greed and vengeance trigger a chain of events fraught with corruption and struggle.

Scorned by three beautiful Rhinemaidens, the dwarf Alberich renounces love and steals the Rhine’s magical gold to forge a ring granting its bearer absolute power. Surging music transports us from the banks of the pristine Rhine down to the depths of the smoldering earth and up to the realm of the gods, where the struggle for control of the ring propels this epic into cataclysmic motion.

WEDNESDAY

DIE WALKÜRE A father’s blinding ambition and a daughter’s profound defiance drive the story forward in the cycle’s dramatic second installment.

The chief god Wotan fathers the hero Siegmund to regain control of the ring. But, when confronted with the futility of his dream, Wotan is forced to forsake not only his son but also his beloved daughter, the warrior-maiden Brünnhilde.

FRIDAY

SIEGFRIED A fearless young hero battles otherworldly challenges on a journey to discover his destiny.

A generation has passed as the cycle’s third opera opens on a despoiled world, marred by pervasive greed and reckless ambition. Raised by the deceitful dwarf Mime, Siegfried—the mortal son of Siegmund and Sieglinde—rebuffs authority as he wins the ring and forges his own path to the extraordinary woman who awaits him.

SUNDAY

GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG The cycle reaches its transcendent climax with a suspenseful tale of bravery and sacrifice, treachery and betrayal, destruction and renewal.

As the end nears for the gods, and human ambition rules the world, Alberich’s son Hagen hatches a plot to take control of the ring, threatening the union of Siegfried and Brünnhilde. Fueled by greed, Hagen’s actions lead to chaos and destruction, until Brünnhilde steps forward to return the world to its natural order.

The Ring is always contemporary. We are presenting a world in some ways familiar to our audience but also one that will feel very mythic as we look to our country’s rich imagery.

The great themes of the Ring—nature, power and corruption—resound through America’s past and haunt our present.”

–Francesca Zambello, Director

RICHARD WAGNER

THE RING OF THE NIBELUNG Former Music Director Donald Runnicles, one of the world’s leading interpreters of Wagner, returns to conduct an extraordinary international cast and the incomparable San Francisco Opera Orchestra and Chorus.

Meet the artists and the characters at sfopera.com/ring.

CAST

PRODUCTION

BRÜNNHILDE

HAGEN / FASOLT

CONDUCTOR

ANDREA SILVESTRELLI

DONALD RUNNICLES

WOTAN

FRICKA / WALTRAUTE

DIRECTOR

GREER GRIMSLEY

JAMIE BARTON

FRANCESCA ZAMBELLO

SIEGFRIED

MIME

SET DESIGNER

DAVID CANGELOSI

MICHAEL YEARGAN

SIEGLINDE

HUNDING / FAFNER

COSTUME DESIGNER

KARITA MATTILA

RAYMOND ACETO

CATHERINE ZUBER

SIEGMUND / FROH

GUNTHER / DONNER

LIGHTING DESIGNER

BRANDON JOVANOVICH

BRIAN MULLIGAN

MARK MCCULLOUGH

LOGE

ERDA / 1ST NORN

PROJECTION DESIGNERS

STEFAN MARGITA

RONNITA MILLER

S. KATY TUCKER and JAN HARTLEY

EVELYN HERLITZIUS

DANIEL BRENNA

*

*

ALBERICH

FALK STRUCKMANN

GUTRUNE *

MELISSA CITRO

CHORUS DIRECTOR

IAN ROBERTSON * San Francisco Opera debut Co-production with Washington National Opera Sung in German with English supertitles

SUMMER 2018

CHOOSE YOUR CYCLE Experience the 4-opera Ring cycle as Wagner intended: in its entirety, over the course of a single week. sfopera.com/ring

Cycle 1

Cycle 2

Cycle 3

Das Rheingold

T June 12 7:30pm

T June 19 7:30pm

T June 26 7:30pm

Die Walküre

W June 13 7pm

W June 20 7pm

W June 27 7pm

Siegfried

F June 15 6:30pm

F June 22 6:30pm

F June 29 6:30pm

Götterdämmerung

Su June 17 1pm

Su June 24 1pm

Su July 1 1pm

All performances of the Ring will feature OperaVision, HD video projection screens in the Balcony. OperaVision is made possible by the Koret/Taube Media Suite.

Please note that each cycle is sold as a 4-opera series; tickets may not be purchased for individual operas and tickets are non-exchangeable. Cast, prices and schedule subject to change.

THE RING FESTIVAL Before and during the Ring cycle, join us for lectures, events and other activities to bring you closer to this incredible world. Visit sfopera.com/ringfestival in spring 2017 for the schedule of events.

Brochure photos: San Francisco Opera production of the Ring/Cory Weaver. Envelope Die Walküre photos: (front) San Francisco Opera/Cory Weaver; (back) Washington National Opera/Scott Suchman. Design: Mission Minded.

JOIN THE RING CIRCLE Immerse yourself in Wagner’s operatic masterpiece with unique opportunities designed to bring this most epic of works to life. Enjoy priority seating and exclusive behind-the-scenes access leading up to and during the Ring. Whether you are joining us from out of town or from the Bay Area, let us roll out the red carpet for an exceptional experience.

$5,000 Rhinemaiden Circle • Purchase Ring cycle subscriptions without the contribution portion listed on the enclosed pricing sheet • Priority seating for up to two Ring tickets in the premium section of your choice, subject to availability • Complimentary parking for all performances in your Ring cycle • Two passes to one Ring final dress rehearsal of your choice

$10,000 Valkyrie Circle All above benefits plus: • Valhalla Lounge access for all intermissions • Invitation for two to a cast party immediately following the performance of Götterdämmerung • Two passes to a second Ring final dress rehearsal of your choice

$15,000 Hero Circle All above benefits plus: • Invitation for two to a welcome dinner prior to Das Rheingold • Two passes to a third Ring final dress rehearsal of your choice Production sponsorship opportunities, featuring exclusive customized benefits, begin at $25,000. For additional information or questions, please contact Cathy Lewis at (415) 551-6239 or clewis@sfopera.com.

In accordance with contribution guidelines and San Francisco Opera policy, please note the following: All contributions associated with the 2018 Ring cycle performances, including the contribution portion of Ring tickets, will be recognized in program listings and are eligible for benefits during the 2017–18 Season.

Ring Circle and production sponsorship gifts will also be recognized in a dedicated listing in program books during the 2016–17 and 2017–18 Seasons.

Come to the Ring with a desire for adventure.

Wagner’s remarkable mythical odyssey throws light on human nature from true love, greed, power and possession to parenthood and moral maturity. Its timeless relevance and deeply human insights touch each of our lives profoundly and unforgettably.”

–Donald Runnicles, Conductor

War Memorial Opera House 301 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA 94102-4509

sfopera.com/ring · MATTHEW SHILVOCK General Director

(415) 864-3330

NICOLA LUISOTTI Music Director

COMPANY SPONSORS The Dolby Family Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation John A. and Cynthia Fry Gunn Franklin and Catherine Johnson Edmund W. and Jeannik Méquet Littlefield Fund Steven M. Menzies

SEASON SPONSOR Bernard and Barbro Osher Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Dianne and Tad Taube Phyllis C. Wattis Endowment Funds Diane B. Wilsey

CORPORATE PARTNERS