Events

 

 

 

L>R: Lionel Friend, Sir John Tomlison, Susan Bullock. and Keith Warner 

The Wagner Society of Scotland are pleased to support the Stockbridge Music Hub's eight-day event in Edinburgh, UK, titled ‘Discover The Ring’. Suitable for those new to the work as well as those who may have seen it before!

Musicians and scholars, renowned for their Wagner interpretation and knowledge will perform and share their experiences and opinions about Richard Wagner and his most famous work. Spread throughout the week will be screenings of the Bayreuth1992 - Kupfer/Barenboim Ring production.

Opening the week, scholar Michael Downes, will talk about his recently published book Story of the Century: Wagner and the Creation of The Ring. 

On the second day there will be recital by Susan Bullock and emerging star Laura Margaret Smith. A programme will include the Wesendonck Lieder and extracts from Götterdämmerung. 

Conductor Lionel Friend who worked closely with Barenboim on the production being screened will deliver four 60 minute talks. With musical illustrations at the piano and from recordings, Lionel will look into various aspects of Wagner's Ring cycle: its origins, text, characters and music to see how Wagner explores the frailties and triumphs of human nature.

On Tuesday evening Keith Warner, opera director, will talk about his work and the challenges of working on this scale and often provocative themes. 

The final day will begin with a talk by one of the great interpreters of the often misunderstood character, Wotan, Sir John Tomlinson.

Saturday 22nd:
11am: ‘Story of the Century: Wagner and the Creation of the Ring’ - Michael Downes
2.30pm: Talk 1 - Lionel Friend
4pm: Talk 2 - Lionel Friend

Sunday 23rd:
2.30pm: Talk 3 - Lionel Friend
4pm: Talk 4 - Lionel Friend
7pm: Susan Bullock and Laura Margaret Smith recital:

Wesendonck-Lieder  (Susan Bullock, accompanied by Lionel Friend - c20')
Götterdämmerung Act I, Scene 3 - Brünnhilde, Waltraute (Susan Bullock, Laura Margaret Smith, accompanied by Lionel Friend - c25')
------------
Das Rheingold, Scene 4 - Erda (Laura Margaret Smith, accompanied by Lionel Friend - c6')
Götterdämmerung Act III, Scene 3 - Brünnhilde "Immolation" (Susan Bullock, accompanied by Lionel Friend - c15')

Monday 24th:
7pm: Das Rheingold 

Tuesday 25th:
6pm: An evening with Keith Warner 

Wednesday 26th:
5.30pm: Die Walküre 

Thursday 27th: Free day

Friday 28th:
5.30pm: Siegfried 

Saturday 1st March:
11pm: Sir John Tomlinson talk/performance and Q&A
4pm: Götterdämmerung

Light refreshments will be provided during the intervals of the screenings on 26th, 28th and 1st. ‘Discover The Ring’

Bookings now open on Eventbrite.

To find out more about the Wagner Society of Scotland and how to join, click here. We welcome local, national and international members and offer a wide range of online talks by notable speakers as well as an annual Summer course, and a Bayreuth Scholarship.