THE WAGNER
SOCIETY
Cycle 1
JUNE 17 EVENT 1
5PM MICHAEL PORTILLO'S RING The famous broadcaster's film on Wagner's epic and how its meaning inspires and impacts in the modern world. With a specially recorded preface for this Festival. 90 minutes
7PM WAGNER'S ELEMENTS David Edwards and LFO young singers illustrate the themes of Earth, Air, Fire and Water that feature predominantly in the RING cycle. Richard Black piano 90 minutes
JUNE 19 EVENT 2
5PM REHEARSING THE RING Carmen Jakobi, LFO's Assistant Director, takes a rehearsal with understudies for the RING and demonstrates how the rehearsal process prepares singers to "jump in" 90 minutes
7PM MARTIN & LIZZIE GRAHAM talk to Alan Rusbridger, editor of The Guardian, about their passion for Wagner and how they built up Longborough Festival Opera over many years. 90 minutes
JUNE 21 EVENT 3
5PM PROFESSOR BRYAN MAGEE in
conversation with Alan Rusbridger. The U.K/s pre-eminent philosopher and Wagner enthusiast discusses the composer's thought and music. 90 minutes
7PM GWYNNE HOWELL The veteran British bass has sung no fewer than 12 different Wagner roles. He discusses his distinguished career and coaches young singers on this taxing repertoire. 90 minutes
Cycle 2
JUNE 27 EVENT 4
5PM MASTERCLASS with DAME ANNE EVANS
The charismatic and celebrated British soprano coaches four young Wagner singers and gives a fascinating insight into the way singers must develop voice and character simultaneously in this demanding repertoire.
Richard Black piano. 3 hours, including interval
JUNE 29 EVENTS 5
5PM ANTHONY NEGUS and THE MUSIC OF THE RING
LFO'S acclaimed Music Director talks about his passion for Wagner and how he approaches conducting this mighty work. 90 minutes
7PM THE MERRY NIBELUNGS Rare opportunity to hear highlights from Oscar Strauss' 1904 operetta -which follows the Norse legend much more closely than Wagner's version. LFO singers. Richard Black piano Malcolm Rivers narrator 90 minutes
JULY 1 EVENT 6
5PM MIKE ASHMAN - RINGS OF THE WORLD
The renowned director and writer gives his personal survey of productions of the cycle in modern times. The RING has inspired controversy among audiences for so long - how and why? 90 minutes
7PM TONY PALMER - THE WAGNER FAMILY The
famous filmmaker introduces his film examining sensitive political and familial relations between Bayreuth and Germany in the 1930s and beyond. Post-showing audience discussion. 2 hours
CYCLE 3
JULY 7 EVENT 7
5PM MASTERCLASS with tenor KIM BEGLEY
This distinguished British singer shares his knowledge with the next generation of tenors.
Richard Black piano 90 minutes Subject to confirmation
7PM WAGNER AND LISZT EXPLORED -JULIAN JACOBSON The virtuoso pianist examines the close relationship between two musical giants with illustrations at the keyboard. 90 minutes
JULY 9 EVENT 8
5PM BARRY MILLINGTON The eminent Wagner scholar gives an illustrated presentation on the RING, its origin and meaning and talks about his new book The Sorcerer of Bayreuth. 90 minutes
7PM TONY PALMER introduces SILENT WAGNER, a remarkable film made by Carl Frohlich in 1913. A rare document made when Cosima Wagner was still in charge at Bayreuth. 90 minutes
JULY 11 EVENT 9
5PM BREAKING THE RING
David Edwards and LFO singers explore the 11 year creative divide in the composition of the RING.
Richard Black piano 90 minutes
7PM PROFESSOR JOHN DEATHRIDGE -ENDING THE RING The great Wagner expert, scholar, and celebrated author looks at the composition of GOTTERDAMMERUNG and how the RING concludes in a surprising way. 90 minutes
