Not for the first time in my life (!), I find myself gripped by Wagner fever.
I went to the Royal Opera's preview performances last week and 1) hated Rheingold just as I did three years ago, 2) loved Walkure just as did three times before and 3) was bowled over by Gotterdammerung (an opera I normally struggle with).
I will be seeing Siegfried on Sunday and Gotterdammerung again on Tuesday (which I'll be reviewing, Dave having done the other three).
Love him or hate him (and you have to have sat through a considerable amount to credibly be in the latter category), you have to admit he has an extraordinary power to grip and intoxicate.
I'm really aware that not to take advantage of the current run (there are some returns and tickets on eBay) means not having the chance to experience this extraordinary thing for maybe a long time to come.
I went to the Royal Opera's preview performances last week and 1) hated Rheingold just as I did three years ago, 2) loved Walkure just as did three times before and 3) was bowled over by Gotterdammerung (an opera I normally struggle with).
I will be seeing Siegfried on Sunday and Gotterdammerung again on Tuesday (which I'll be reviewing, Dave having done the other three).
Love him or hate him (and you have to have sat through a considerable amount to credibly be in the latter category), you have to admit he has an extraordinary power to grip and intoxicate.
I'm really aware that not to take advantage of the current run (there are some returns and tickets on eBay) means not having the chance to experience this extraordinary thing for maybe a long time to come.
