NEWS

The Flying Dutchman in Madison

Madison Opera is pleased to announce its first ever production of an opera by Richard Wagner: The Flying Dutchman, April 9 and 11, 2010 in Overture Hall. With bold sets and costumes from Washington National Opera and new direction by Michael Scarola, this is sure to be a production of national interest. Maestro John DeMain (recently seen at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and San Francisco Opera) leads a stellar international cast, including Norwegian soprano Turid Karlsen as Senta and Bradley Garvin as the Dutchman. The production also features the Metropolitan Opera’s Dean Peterson, Julia Faulkner, Arnold Rawls, and Gregory Schmidt.

Madison Opera is in its 49th season and is a resident organization of the Overture Center for the Arts, a stunning, world-class facility designed by Cesar Peli. Tickets for The Flying Dutchman range from $16 to $112; groups of 10-24 receive 10% off, and groups of 25-49 receive 15% off. Contact Brian Hinrichs (hinrichs@madisonopera.org) for more information.

We have recently added audio clips from the 17th and 18th Emerging Singers Program concerts. Click here to go to the Emerging Singers Program page.

Starting April 6, 2010, OPERA America will offer an eight-week online course on Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen. The instructor Thomas May, author of Decoding Wagner, will provide a comprehensive journey through Wagner's endlessly fascinating world where participants will learn about his musical methods, mythological sources, and the history of Ring productions. The course is available for $10 per person. Click here for more information.

Dan Sherman has graciously put together a list for us of the recordings featured during his October 15th lecture, "Wagner recordings you don't know." Click here to see the list.

Read the review in the Roanoke Times of the WSWDC's concert in Roanoke, Virginia here.

John DiGaetani has published a companion volume to Inside the Ring --- a collection of essays on the non-Ring operas. Outside the Ring includes two essays by WSWDC Chairman Jim Holman, on The Flying Dutchman and Die Meistersinger. Copies may be ordered through Amazon or the publisher, McFarland Publishing.

Click here to join the WSWDC.

EVENTS

Desirée Mays: Heroes of "The Ring"

"Take a good look at Wotan," Wagner said, "He is us." Who is this flawed God and tragic hero who must give way to a New World? Who are the heroes of The Ring? What is a hero? The talk will discuss the criteria for heroes: traditional Greek heroes, tragic, epic, messianic, and romantic heroes, even "free" and anti-heroes, and match them with both the characters in the cycles and Wagner himself. Who are our heroes today? Do we have any? And, if not, what does this signify? Music examples will be part of the presentation. Desirée Mays is a globe-trotter for opera and works exclusively presenting opera talks to many diverse groups ranging from Wagner Societies to neophytes. She has been the resident lecturer for The Santa Fe Opera for over a decade, writes a book each year, Opera Unveiled, on the five operas of the Santa Fe season, is a radio personality nationally and occasionally acts as lecturer/tour director taking people all over the world for art tours.

_____________________________

Unless otherwise noted, programs are free and open to the public at:

George Washington University, Funger Hall
G Street between 22nd and 23rd Streets

Map for the GWU campus.

_____________________________

Join the Wagner Society now!

NOTE the new phone/fax numbers.
The Wagner Society of Washington, DC
P.O. Box 58213
Washington DC 20037

Phone: 703-370-1923 FAX: 703-370-1924
http://www.wagner-dc.org

To add your name to our mailing list or for information, e-mail the Webmeister.