Wagner’s ‘Das Rheingold’ from China’s National Centre for the Performing Arts on WHRO-FM

This Saturday at 1:00 pm, tune in on WHRO-FM and enter the mythological world of Wagner with “Das Rheingold,” on the NCPA’s monumental stage. The orchestra creates an enormous mythological atmosphere, from the shimmering opening representing the Rhine to the imposing music of Valhalla.
The plot of the opera features three Rhinemaidens guard the gold of the Rhine, which can be transformed into a ring giving its owner immense power—but only to someone willing to renounce love. The dwarf Alberich steals the gold and forges the ring. Meanwhile, the god Wotan has promised the giants Fasolt and Fafner the goddess Freia as payment for building Valhalla. To save Freia, Wotan and the clever fire god Loge must obtain the ring from Alberich. They succeed, but Alberich places a curse on it. The giants then fight over the treasure, setting in motion the tragedies of the Ring cycle.
Bass-baritone Egils Silins embodies Wotan, an authoritative, ambitious and powerful man, sometimes revealing his vulnerability. The agile and intelligent character of Loge is portrayed by tenor Christian Franz, perfectly suited to the clever, sarcastic outsider who sees through everyone. Baritone Tomas Tomasson brings bitterness to the role of Alberich, the dwarf obsessed by the pursuit of power.
Lü Jia is one of China's leading conductors, with extensive experience in both opera and symphonic repertoire. He maintains a continuous dramatic flow throughout the piece, without allowing the huge orchestral forces to become heavy, as “Das Rheingold” exigently requires.
This Saturday at 1:00 pm, tune in to WHRO-FM 90.3 for an afternoon of mythological opera, performed on the massive stage of China’s National Centre for the Performing Arts. Don’t forget that you can also listen online via our Media Player.