Eve of the stage festival 'Der Ring des Nibelungen' by Richard Wagner
Text by Richard Wagner
Premiere 09.09.2023
Prelude to the new 'Ring' cycle in Basel
When the giants demand payment for the construction of the gods' castle Valhalla, the chief god Wotan is in trouble. The cunning Loge knows what to do: once upon a time, the Nibelung Alberich came into possession of the Rhine gold, which - forged into the Ring - promises boundless dominion. Wotan and Loge decide to snatch the gold and the ring from Alberich in order to pay off the giants. In his new production, Benedikt von Peter focuses on Wotan's patriarchal rule and its disastrous effects on the following generations. Through the eyes of Brünnhilde, the audience experiences the four-part story as a fragmented trail of memories.
'Rheinklang – Ein Chorritual' can be seen on Theaterplatz before every performance of 'Das Rheingold'.
Together with musicians of the Sinfonieorchester Basel, 'Ring' conductor Jonathan Nott introduces the musical structures and presents the most important leitmotifs.
The 'Ring' in short form: Ansi Verwey presents the opera cycle on the piano. A one-woman show for everyone who loves, hates, knows or wants to discover Wagner.
In an introduction followed by a visit to a final rehearsal, the directing team will give an insight into the new productions of 'Das Rheingold' and 'Die Walküre'.
On four Thursday evenings, Basel director and performer Marcel Schwald and dramaturge Jonas Gillmann invite artists from the festival and other guests to a late-night talk. The evening will be musically accompanied by Les Reines Prochaines.
For selected opera performances, there are now two exclusive seats in the orchestra pit. Observe the interaction between conductor and musicians and experience the orchestral sound at close quarters.
Together with the dramaturgy, Basel's Kulturhaus Bider & Tanner has been curating the book table for our plays for many years. Now this selection of books, CDs, DVDs, catalogues or even sheet music can be accessed at any time in the online shop. It's worth browsing regularly.
With the kind support of IG Ring
After more than 40 years, 'The Ring' is returning to Theater Basel. In the autumns of 2023 and 2024, the premières of 'Das Rheingold', 'Die Walküre', 'Siegfried' and 'Götterdämmerung' will be accompanied by a festival lasting several weeks with commissioned works, discussion series, late-night formats and other events that take their own perspectives on the diverse thematic complexes of 'Der Ring'.
