Ladies and Gentlemen, the opening image of Götz Friedrich’s legendary RING production is one of the most powerful I have ever seen on any operatic stage: The time tunnel gives us the extraordinary feeling that the stage is almost endless. It is a fantastic metaphor for the journey on which everyone embarks who attends a performance of the RING. The opening elemental bars draw us into this unique world much like first lines of an epic novel - we quickly sense that this long journey will change us. Every time I conduct the RING I envy those who are having this experience for the very first time, because I still remember the initial and overwhelming impact on me. In the RING Wagner crafted one of the most fascinating stories imaginable: a story of love, power and corruption – a timeless thriller whose strong moralistic impact affects everyone. When I am asked as to why we continue to play the RING I make the comparison to Greek tragedy and Shakespearian plays which also enrich every new generation. All of the existential questions about life and death are touched in these great works of art. This moral urgency and relevance infuse Götz Friedrich’s iconic production. I suppose, the more I conduct the RING, the more awesome is its effect on me. My approach has become more “objective”. The task is simple and yet profoundly challenging – comprehending what is on the written page. This music has accompanied me all my professional life. As a human being one changes. As one grows older and hopefully wiser one approaches things differently than perhaps thirty years ago. With age and, hopefully, maturity you return to the great works of art, with the realization that you understand much more. I am reminded of the immortal quote by T.S. Eliot: “We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time.” When I was a young boy I read Shakespeare because I had to. But when I read him now I am overwhelmed by his profound insight into our fallible human nature. It is much the same with Richard Wagner. My understanding of these works with their infinite reservoir of wisdom has deepened and infuses my conducting with a different kind of energy and focus. We look forward to having you with us on this thrilling and life-changing journey.
Donald Runnicles