I start-to-finish acquaintance with the operas in the Ring cycle ... but it's such a daunting project.
Yes, it is, and there are a couple of them on vhs and dvd from Bayreuth, one is Boulez/Chereau from 1981 and then Barenboim in the early 90s. The one I watched yesterday was the Met with Levine, didn't think it was so great. When I did it before, I watched them in order, but that's not really necessary, and as a result I can't remember very much about 'Gotterdammerung'. I think Die Walkure is the best one to start with, because 'Das Rheingold' can seem
hateful (staying
ON-TOPIC here, you see) even if you're already familiar with it. Or 'Siegfried' could be an okay starter, because you've got pieces of the music that is then made into the full orchestral 'Siegried Idyll' in that. Recently tried to watch an old (1973) production of 'Tristan and Isolde' with Birgit Nilsson, the big dame, but voice was very harsh, even ugly by then. I'm going to listen to CD of Flagstad doing it, which I haven't heard. I think these are better enjoyed if you do watch them at home first before seeing the live performance, because otherwise there's an inevitable struggle to enter into something not all that accessible. Most people have the hardest time with 'Parsifal', but all that Dresden Amen all over the place gives one something to hang onto if you're sitting next to a dowager and would rather hold onto yourself...
(I am the King of Romania, BTW.
)
Just so you're not one of the cousins of the Ceaucescus (sp.?), the poor dears. Worse, I might not mind, which is why I'm worried if I have any morals left at all. For example, if you were Princess Anne, I'd balk, but I am far too accepting in my male recipiencies (new word, methinks. What do you think of it? I rather like Your Royal Recipiency...)
Think_Kink--I know one of those was mean to you, and 'it' is always obnoxious about trying to sabotage my posts, but I think 'it' is here to stay.:fight:
hate hate hate--I'm just soooooooooo on-topic...