The first of four operas in Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle was shown at the Creston Valley Public Library on April 30 when fans enjoyed Das Rheingold (The Rhine Gold). The gold is in the river Rhine and is guarded by the Rhine maidens. Visual effects are amazing, so that the maidens really do appear to be swimming around underwater, and singing to boot.
Permission to show two operas in May rather than one was requested to provide continuity, and chief librarian Aaron Francis agreed.
On May 9, Die Walküre (The Valkyrie) will feature Gary Lakes and Jessye Norman.
On May 30, the third opera, Siegfried, will be shown with Siegfried Jerusalem in the title role, and featuring Heinz Zednik as the cunning goldsmith, Mime.
Power struggles, intrigue, deception, tragedy and joy — all are depicted in this long tale with liberettos and music written by Richard Wagner from 1850-1874. During the process, Wagner became short of money. He took an involuntary 12-year break to complete two other money making operas.
The last three of these Metropolitan productions exceeds four hours, and show time has been moved to 6:30 p.m. The fourth opera of Der Ring des Nibelungens, Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods), will be shown in June. As usual, all are welcome and there is no charge.
—BY JULIE EWASHEN
