Pac.mercyhurst.edu photo: ‘Siegfried’ plays in the PAC on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 12 p.m.The Metropolitan Opera has undertaken the huge project of re-staging Richard Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen,” commonly referred to as “The Ring Cycle.”

The cycle is made up of four separate operas: “Das Rheingold,” “Die Walküre,” “Siegfried” and “Götterdämmerung.”

The first two were a part of last year’s Met HD Live broadcast series starring Bryn Terfel and Deborah Voigt.
This year the final two installments will be shown. The next opera in the cycle is “Siegfried,” which airs on Saturday, Nov. 5, at 12 p.m. in the Mary D’Angelo Performing Arts Center (PAC).

The opera follows the story of Siegfried, son of Siegmund and Sieglinde—the twin demi-gods.

With the re-forging of his father’s magic sword, Siegfried journeys to obtain the famous ring and learn the meaning of fear.

At the end of his quest, Siegfried rescues Brünnhilde, who has been condemned to an eternal sleep by her father, Wotan, king of the gods. Only a true hero, who is pure of heart, could free her.

The new production directed by Robert Lepage is a spectacle for the opera viewer.

General Manager of the Metropolitan Opera Peter Gelb described this production as “the most complicated and challenging opera production ever produced by the Metropolitan Opera.”

“Since Wagner was way ahead of his time, I believe he would be pleased by what we are attempting under Robert’s inspired direction,” Gelb said.

The stage is set with 24 hydraulic planks made of aluminum and covered with fiberglass, which allows images to be projected on the planks. These images are sensitive to the performers movements and sound. For example, when
Wotan walks on the clouds, the audience can see the clouds dispersing with every step.

Junior Adam Ferrari attended “Die Walküre” last season. When asked what he thought about the new modern age set used in this production of the “Ring Cycle,” he said, “I think it’s incredible. It made the performance incredibly intense and dramatic.”

“The Met always seems to find great ways in showcasing their operas and making them new again.”

Junior Sara Maitland said, “A six-hour opera is very long if you have little visual action, and it might disengage the
audience. The hydraulic effects helped to create a more visualizing, stimulating and overall better performance.“

Junior Kirstan Orgel agreed that the opera set was visually stimulating for the audience.

“Siegfried” will feature Jay Hunter Morris in the title role, Deborah Voigt as Brünnhilde, and Bryn Terfel as Woton.

Tickets are $15 for students, and can be purchased at the PAC box office, or by calling 824-3000.