Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Chief Conductor Simone Young leads an all-star cast in Richard Wagner’s vast, spectacular drama Die Walküre, the second instalment of his epic four-opera Ring Cycle. A merciless storm rages over Wotan’s kingdom as his son Siegmund is pursued by brutal enemies. Presented in concert in a pure musical experience, Simone Young and the Orchestra’s superb mastery of Wagner’s extraordinary musical creation will be one of the year’s most powerful moments. A high point of artistic invention, Wagner’s Ring Cycle is one of the greatest works of music. Its drama and energy are captured by its signature moment The Ride of the Valkyries, which has become the most quoted musical passage from the entire world of opera. It is surrounded by writing of ravishing beauty and intensity which captures Brünnhilde’s bold defiance, Wotan’s shuddering wrath and Siegmund’s heroism. These performances provide the perfect platform for world-class soloists including Australian Stuart Skelton; Anja Kampe and Alexandra Ionis, stars of the Berlin Staatsoper and Vienna Staatsoper; and Tommi Hakala, a brilliant new Wotan for the world stage. Joining these distinguished artists is a stellar cast including Lithuanian-born soprano Vida Miknevičiūtė and Australian luminaries including Deborah Humble and Helena Dix. Wagner’s epic legend was written for huge orchestral forces to produce an enormous, astonishing sound and create the 'total work of art'. Performed in Sydney for the first time in twenty-five years, Die Walküre is a musical triumph that you won’t want to miss. PROGRAM WAGNER Die Walküre ARTISTS SIMONE YOUNG conductor ANJA KAMPE Brünnhilde TOMMI HAKALA Wotan VIDA MIKNEVIČIŪTĖ Sieglinde STUART SKELTON Siegmund PETER ROSE Hunding ALEXANDRA IONIS Fricka HELENA DIX Helmwige MADELEINE PIERARD Gerhilde NATALIE AROYAN Ortlinde DEBORAH HUMBLE Waltraute MARGARET PLUMMER Siegrune KRISTIN DARRAGH Grimgerde ALEXANDRA IONIS Rossweisse LIANE KEEGAN Schwertleite