Bayreuther Festspiele 2014 Walküre

© bayreuther festspiele / Enrico Nawrath

It is a wild west style barn, even it should play on an Russian or Kasachstan oilfield. Sieglinde is feeding turkeys, when Siegmund comes into her houses looking for shelter and comfort. Hunding is an elegant gentleman dressed more as a knight. There was a lot of discussion about this new production of the Ring by Frank Castorf last year in Bayreuth, even more as it was the bicentennial anniverary of the composer. Now one year later a lot of the original disgust has evaporated and people find their access to this sophisticated and conclusive production. Modern gold is oil and wealth and power is linked to its production. That´s the empire of Wotan a selfish business man. Most of the effect is due to the monumental stage design by Aleksandar Denic. He brings a lot of imposing reality. Strong 3 dimensional installations and the invisible action inside is transmitted live on a big screen by simple pieces of cloths fixed on the stage decorg. He uses the turning stage to offer different views. Everywhere action can happen, either on top of a drilling tower, inside or outside the factory like building, on a terrace as the meeting point of the walkyries, arriving on foot, dressed up as elegant ladies for a social get together. There are no big special effects, no gimmicks. The story develops naturally and continously. So remains the final firewall of  Brunhilde´s rock prison a poor small installation, not meeting the expectations of the audience.

All of the cast have given a great performance. Walter Koch is a fine more of a lyric Wotan, dramatic Soprano Catherine Foster can tame the power of her voice, modulates softly and flows harmoniously up and down.  Johan Botha disposes over a flexible, strong and warm tenor, but lacks dramatic appearence on stage as Siegmund, Anja Kampe masters fine the first act as Sieglinde but shows difficultiers in the third act. Kwangchul Youn is a sure bet as Hunding. A long and very hearty thanking applause of the audience at the end with some timid buhs for the direction.