Iain Paterson replaces Ludovic Tézier as Wotan in Das Rheingold at the Paris Opera

© Iain Paterson / Ludovic Tézier

From 29 January, the Paris Opera is staging a new production of Wagner's Ring des Nibelungen. Ludovic Tézier was to have sung the role of Wotan for the first time, but has been forced to withdraw for health reasons. He will be replaced by the highly experienced Iain Paterson.

This is undoubtedly one of the most eagerly awaited productions of the new year: the Opéra de Paris is releasing a new Richard Wagner’s Ring des Nibelungen, directed by Calixto Bieito, with a brand new production of Das Rheingold starting on 29 January – this new Ring was originally due to start in 2020, but was cancelled due to the pandemic.

The production is attracting interest because of its director, who wants to question the place of the “new gods” of the 21st century. According to Calixto Bieito, they are embodied by the new technologies that devour our personal data and thus strengthen the power of the Internet giants. The production also arouses the curiosity of opera lovers because of its cast, which includes several roles debuts: Ève-Maud Hubeaux as Fricka and Marie-Nicole Lemieux as Erda, as well as Ludovic Tézier as Wotan.

Ludovic Tézier has been forced to withdraw from the production due to illness.

Unfortunately, the Paris Opera has announced in a press release that Ludovic Tézier will be withdrawing from the production. The baritone is “unwell” and “has been obliged to withdraw from the production (...); influenza prevents him from completing all the rehearsals required for this role debut”. The Parisian institution continued: “The baritone is immensely disappointed at having to give up this role. This dream, shared with Alexander Neef, General Director of the Opéra national de Paris, was set to be a highlight of the season and a much-anticipated event for audiences”.

According to the Paris Opera, the role of Wotan is taken over by Iain Paterson for all performances. While Ludovic Tézier's first interpretation of Wotan was to be one of the sensations of the production, he will be replaced by Iain Paterson, who has very solid experience in the Wagnerian role. He has already sung the role on numerous occasions, notably on most of the major European and American stages - from the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin to the Royal Opera House in London, not to mention the Vienna Staatsoper, the Lyric Opera in Chicago, the Semperoper in Dresden, the National Opera in Amsterdam, the Opera in Rome and La Monnaie in Brussels, among others.

This new production of Das Rheingol will run at the Opéra Bastille from 29 January to 19 February. The Tetralogy will then continue until 2026 with new productions of Siegfried, Die Walküre and Twilight of the Gods.

free translation of our article first published in French

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