Wagner Society Blogs

April 1, 2013

The Goethe Institut, San Francisco is featuring two documentary films in conjunction with the Richard Wagner 200th Jubilee Year.

Wednesday April 24, 2013 6:30 p.m. "The Transformation of the World into Music" a 1996 documentary film by Werner Herzog. Suggested Donation $5.00

Wednesday May 1, 2013 6:30 p.m. "Katharina Wagner's Baptism of Fire" a 2007 documentary film by Dagmar Krauss (screened by the Wagner Society in 2008) - Suggested Donation $5.00

The flyer for the events are located below.

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Posted March 31, 2013

A number of WSNC Members made their way to Berlin to enjoy the Ring at the Staatsoper's temporary venue the Schiller Theater. Andy Rombakis sends this photo of some of the group. Deutsche Opera is filling in the week with a number of the non-Ring operas to make it a Wagner Festival of Sorts.

L-R Nelda Kilguss, Al Elsayed, Eiko Kikawada, Andy Rombakis, Verna Parino, Ski Grabowski, Sylvia Boorstein, Mitch Mitchell and Gail Stark.

March 28, 2013

Gelb defends the Met Ring

Clearly it isn't an easy job, but Gelb's contract has been extended until 2022 so apparently, the BOD of the Met is satisfied with Gelb's work. Here's the link to the article. There is a lively discussion going on in the comments section at the end of the article.

March 28, 2013

A production you KNEAD to see!

Here's something interesting from the Intermezzo Blog. In the new production of Parsifal unveiled by the Cologne Opera  bass Matti Salminen will be required to mix, knead and bake 10 loaves of bread during the performance. After the performance the bread will be served to those in attendance.

For those who succumb to the fragrance of yeast and flour during the performance, the opera's restaurant will be open during intervals.

March 27, 2013

It was announced that the enterprising, Dutch-based opera company, Stichting Lustrum Opera, will stage Das Rheingold ON THE RHINE. Utilizing a barge specially outfitted to enclose an auditorium, Stichting Lustrum will sail from Koblenz to Rotterdam, stopping along the way to present Das Rheingold. The M.V.S. Oriana sets sail in July.

For more information: http://www.rheingold2013.com/en/rheingold-on-the-rhine/?lang=en

March 22, 2013

The local non-profit arts organization Lieder Alive! is featuring a special concert and lecture on April 27th 7:30 p.m. at Salle Piano Salon in San Francisco. This concert is being presented in conjunction with the Goethe Institut San Francisco.

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March 21, 2013

From Dr. David Cline, President of the Wagner Society of the Upper Mid-West:

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March 20, 2013

A Wagner Teddy Bear which plays music from  Lohengrin

http://www.baerenboutique.de/teddybaeren/teddyhermann/neuheiten/musikbaer-wagner.php

or Ride of the Walküre

http://www.baerenboutique.de/teddybaeren/hermanncoburg/hermanncoburgmusikbaeren/richardwagner.php

March 20, 2013

Richard Wagner was a controversial genius, there is no doubt. In a recent opinion item in Die Zeit Online, two gentlemen express the pro and contra of Wagner the man,  musician,  artist and genius.

http://www.zeit.de/zeit-geschichte/2013/01/Wagner-Pro-Contra-Ortheil-Schneider/seite-2

you can cut and paste the URL to translate.google.com for a rough translation

March 20, 2013

As the big Wagner Celebration accelerates in Germany, here's an interesting concept designed to draw people to Dresden as well as expressing the city's pride in one of their most notable residents.