Der Ring des Nibelungen: Die Tetralogie an einem Abend mit Marionetten und Menschen
Trailer
Synopsis
Richard Wagner's monumental operatic tetralogy, "The Ring of the Nibelung," is condensed into a two-hour performance. This production by the Salzburger Marionettentheater combines marionettes and actors to tell the myth in a compact, humorous, and exciting way. The story follows the mythological entanglements of gods, dwarves, giants, and heroes in their struggle for power and love, all set to Wagner's powerful music.
Context & Trivia
The Salzburger Marionettentheater, founded in 1913, is renowned for its adaptations of grand operas using small figures, primarily aimed at an adult audience. This production of "Der Ring des Nibelungen" premiered on March 30, 2012, and was dedicated to Professor Gretl Aicher (1928-2012), who also contributed to the puppet conception alongside Philippe Brunner. The work condenses Wagner's original cycle, which typically lasts around 16 hours, into approximately two and a half hours, utilizing 70 cm tall marionettes brought to life by skilled puppeteers. A notable aspect of the production is the interaction between marionettes and actors, with Christiani Wetter and Tim Oberließen not only narrating but also actively participating in the play, even taking on roles such as the giants or Gunther and Gutrune in "Götterdämmerung." The puppet heads were sculpted by Reinhard Feldinger, who managed to imbue them with significant personality. The music for the production is sourced from the famous Solti "Ring" recording with the Vienna Philharmonic.
Puppeteers
Philippe Brunner, Vladimir Fediakov, Edouard Funck, Heide Hölzl, Maximilian Kiener, Emanuel Paulus, Philipp Schmidt, Eva Wiener, Ursula Winzer
Voices
Oda Balsborg, Kurt Böhme, Régine Crespin, Helga Dernesch, Brigitte Fassbaender, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Kirsten Flagstad, Werner Friedel, Claudia Hellmann, Hans Hotter, James King, Waldemar Kmentt, Walter Kreppel, Paul Kuen, Berit Lindholm, Vera Little, George London, Christa Ludwig, Ira Malaniuk, Gustav Neidlinger, Birgit Nilsson, Hetty Plümacher, Vera Schlosser, Gerhard Stolze, Joan Sutherland, Set Svanholm, Marilyn Tyler, Eberhard Wächter, Claire Watson, Helen Watts, Wolfgang Windgassen
Puppet design
Gretl Aicher, Philippe Brunner, Christian Floeren
Puppet companies
Salzburger Marionettentheater
Direction
Philip von Maldeghem
Cast
Christiani Wetter, Tim Oberließen
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