Das Rheingold Nationaltheater Mannheim

© Nationaltheater Mannheim

The Nationaltheater Mannheim once again offers a very special opera production. German director Achim Freyer realizes one of his black and white illusion theater spectacles and shows his creativity. For the Nationaltheater Mannheim he has created a new production of Wagners the Ring of the Nibelung. The performance of the Prologue to the tetralogy - Rheingold - offers a good glance on Freyer´s concept.He is known for his perfection, - so he takes care of everything - direction, stage, light and costume design. It is real magic theatre. We are in an imaginary fairytale world thanks to the costumes and setting. The Rhinemaidens sit high above the scene like warrior nixens. Alberich appears cleverly dressed as a dwarf -as all the Nibelungs - and approaches them on the ground of the Rhine gaining their gold. In bright light we experience the world of the Gods. Donner is a well trained muscle man, Froh a sensible painter, Freia a kind of farmer girl. Fricka the caring mother and center of the family. The giants come lifely and really big - building Walhalla which we never can get a glance of.

Even black is the dominant color the viewer does not sense the darkness and mystery of the setting. Black and white contrasts, fading light effects and the vastness of the empty stage give us a cosmic feeling. Freyer creates 3 dimensional effects by letting the stage cercle around. Small puppets of the characters of the story move on it. There is only limited and slow movement reminding us of shadow theatre. So the story develops in front of the audience with growing excitement. There is no breach of concept or disharmony.

Dan Ettinger as musical director of the Ring production seems to follow the puristic and imagenary concept of Freyer. Less is more. The orchestra creates a velvet warm sound. It is not voluminous or loud but well balanced and  omnipresent. No heavy forti or broad romantic showers. The tempi are well settled, You feel the closeness of singer and orchestra and the profound preparation, There is room for the singers to present the potential of their voices. Thomas Jesatko as Wotan and Karsten Mewes as Alberich succeed the most. Uwe Eikoetter lacks Loges ironic trickiness and jealousy to the gods he is not a member off. Edna Prochnik as Fricka knows well how to enforce her will and power.