Join The Royal Opera this September for a bold new imagining of the first work in Wagner’s Ring cycle. Das Rheingold – which boasts some of the greatest operatic music ever written – is staged by legendary director Barrie Kosky and conducted by Antonio Pappano in his last year as Music Director of The Royal Opera. It will be broadcast live from Covent Garden to approximately 800 cinemas in 18 countries on 20 September.
With Erda – Mother Earth herself – at its centre, the opera tells a story of myth, dream and memory. A cornerstone of the opera repertory, its return to Covent Garden is much anticipated – a treat for seasoned opera goers and first-timers alike, and the start of a programme that will continue for years to come. It is performed by an outstanding cast that includes Christopher Maltman (Wotan) and Christopher Purves (Alberich).
The production is the product of a unique collaboration, benefiting from Kosky and Pappano’s respective expertise to breathe new life into a classic masterpiece. Its list of creatives includes internationally acclaimed costume designer Victoria Behr, celebrated set designer Rufus Didwiszus and multi-award-winning lighting designer Alessandro Carletti, whose work at the Royal Opera House includes Guillaume Tell, for which he won a 2015 Knight of Illumination Award, and the more recent Olivier Award-winning Cavalleria rusticana/ Pagliacci.
The broadcast offers a unique opportunity to experience the rich orchestral arrangements, large-scale sets, stunning costumes and astonishing performances on the big screen, all from the comfort of your local cinema. Encore screenings will run from Sunday 24 September 2023.
Our cinema programme has brought opera and ballet to audiences across the globe since 2008. Each broadcast offers audiences the best seat in the house, and includes exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and insights into the rehearsal process. The programme forms an integral part of our plan to secure our future, expand audiences and continue to help facilitate the vital recovery of cinema domestically and internationally.
