“The Ring” shone brilliantly at the Music Center when the Los Angeles Opera presented the final episode of the Wagner tetralogy, “Gotterdammerung.” The five-and-a-half hour drama seemed to glide by quickly, the audience spellbound by the gods, heroes, dwarfs and mermaids in the stunning production. Achim Freyer, the director/designer, may not be the favorite of many Wagner devotees (there were some rude boos), but he is perfect for “Der Ring Des Nibelungen,” which can be dreary going without a creative, imaginative staging.
Freyer has come through again, as he did in the first three operas of the cycle, with remarkable costumes and an inventive set that keeps morphing, all the while holding your attention. There is no nodding off when you know there are surprises in store. The Wagner music gets gorgeous support from James Conlon and the Los Angeles Opera Orchestra. Conlon is superb, evoking the sensuous sound from beginning to end. The illustrious cast, too, is in excellent form throughout this formidable opera. Brian Gale teamed with Freyer to produce eerie lighting effects.
Linda Watson, as Brunnhilde, is at her best here, although she must wear miles of fabric in flowing gowns and a huge headdress worthy of Louis IV. Her lover, Siegfried, is sung by John Treleaven who wears a clownish costume with trousers made of bearskin (faux), a shirt with built-in muscles and a Harpo Marx wig. He is a delight in the role, singing intelligently and cleverly playing up the naiveté of the character.
The mythic story revolves about the magic ring that gives power to the owner but also carries a curse. Brunnhilde ends the reign of the gods by throwing the ring into the Rhine, where dwell its rightful owners. The finale provides thrills with a spectacle of falling bodies, rising flames and general confusion.
Hagen, the wicked dwarf, is sensationally evil in the hands of Eric Halfvarson. His costume is extremely clever as he moves about the stage with two small legs dangling from his trousers. He is the half-brother of the king Gunther of the Gibichungs. Through deceit, he wreaks havoc and is ultimately responsible for the cataclysmic climax. Gunther is played handsomely by Alan Held, while his wife, Gutrune, is a delight as played by Jennifer Wilson.
Others in the cast are Stacey Tappan, Lauren McNeese, Ronnita Nicole Miller, Jill Grove, Michelle DeYoung and Melissa Citro. There can be no fault -finding with any of the singers.
The Los Angeles Opera has done itself proud with its productions of the “Ring” cycle, an enormous accomplishment for a relatively young company. Adventurous opera goers would do well to catch all four operas in the cycle, which will be performed in May. What’s 17 hours when you’re having fun?