"Siegfried" Opens to Great Reviews!

Choreogapher Lawrence Pech assists supernumerary Jerry Locsin as he puts on his bear costume. The bear appears as Siegfried's companion in Act I of Siegfried.  (This is because Siegfried has been raised by an "Evil Dwarf" in the Forest and has had only animals for companions..)  Many current productions
omit the Bear altogether....it's a shame because it adds a bit of humour to a dark story.

I must say, since the beginning of rehearsals (late-April), Jerry has grrrrrreatly improved and now gambols about the stage looking very like a Bear!  The audience loved him at Sunday's Opening!

Siegfried has just slain the "Dragon" (which resembles a HUGE Trash Compactor/Transformer thingie)....The Dragon's body opens to reveal Fafner the Giant....who dies, but not before revealing the whereabouts of "the Ring" to Siegfried.

Here is the Dragon in action!  He really is quite amazing as he spits steam and hisses.....his eyes and mouth glow!   (And again, kudos to the design team as many operas forgo any kind of dragon and settle for a digital image projected on a backdrop!  Here, Siegfried can really do battle with him!)

Finally, after almost five hours (yes, that's right.....5 HOURS) of marvelous singing AND acting, Siegfried breaks through the "Magic Fire" that has been surrounding Brünnhilde (since the end of Die Walküre) and awakens her with a kiss!  They end the opera singing some of the most glorious music ever...filled with joy and passion.  (Of course, this is NOT going to last...Götterdämmerung is coming....) But, one leaves the performance in a kind of glowing trance, the music still resounding in one's head and heart.

Love to all,

♥ Robin ♥