Opera Australia Announce New 2023 Dates For Wagner’s Ring Cycle

Following the postponement of the premiere of the world’s first fully digital Ring Cycle, Opera Australia has announced the season has now been programmed for December 2023 and will take place at Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). As previously planned, the season will feature three full Ring Cycles and seven performances of OA’s digital production of Verdi’s hugely popular Aida. The Ring Cycle was originally scheduled to open in November 2020, but unfortunately was postponed twice due to COVID-19-related restrictions and border closures.

The Ring Cycle in Brisbane

Opera Australia’s Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini is thrilled new dates have been secured, and shared the details of the musicians involved in the performances, as well as his gratitude to those who have made this possible, saying:

“As disappointing as it was to have to postpone again this year, I’m heartened that this pandemic and all its restrictions will be well and truly behind us when we open in 2023, when international audiences will again be able to visit Brisbane. It’s clear this spectacular new digital production of The Ring Cycle has captured the imagination of many fans around the world, so it’s very comforting to know it will now be available to everyone.

We’ve been very lucky to again be able to secure conductor Phillippe Auguin, stellar American soprano Lise Lindstrom and the world’s best and most in-demand Siegfried, German tenor Stefan Vinke. I’m also excited that Australians Daniel Sumegi and Anna-Louise Cole will be making their long-awaited debuts as Wotan and Brünnhilde respectively.

We’d like to thank our good friends at Tourism and Events Queensland, the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, QPAC and our artistic partner Opera Queensland for all their support over the past two years. We’re looking forward to continuing the journey and finally bringing this innovative production to the stage.”

Additionally, the announcement has been an exciting prospect for the Brisbane area following the restrictions of the last few years, and as preparations commence, the region is very much looking forward to welcoming audiences back once more. Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe explained that the production’s 2023 season would be a significant cultural tourism event for Brisbane, saying:

“We expect this operatic masterpiece will appeal to audiences from across Queensland and interstate, as well as overseas visitors. The Ring Cycle spans over four nights, giving visitors to Brisbane the opportunity to explore our city’s many world-class tourism experiences. This event is expected to boost our visitor economy and confirm Brisbane’s reputation as a major events capital.”

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch concurred, saying the this would reinforce Brisbane’s reputation as a key destination for exclusive cultural experiences:

“We look forward to welcoming audiences to this landmark event, which will generate economic and cultural tourism outcomes, providing employment opportunities for our local artists and arts workers. Opera Australia’s decision to stage The Ring Cycle in Brisbane is a prelude to Brisbane’s role as a global cultural hub ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics when our arts and cultural offerings will be showcased on the world stage.

The arts are key to delivering the Palaszczuk Government’s plan for economic recovery from COVID-19, each year contributing $8.5 billion to the state’s economy and supporting more than 92000 jobs for Queenslanders.”

The Ring Cycle – A new interpretation

The unique interpretation of this production has been created by visionary Chinese director Chen Shi-Zheng, and will be the first large scale performance of the full Ring Cycle to be held in Queensland, and also the first fully digital version ever staged. The sets will incorporate huge, LED screens suspended from the ceiling and choreographed to move seamlessly around the stage, creating a striking visual landscape.

In 2023, Chen Shi-Zheng will explore Wagner’s legendary tale through a futuristic lens. His global vision imagines a parallel universe where many cultures walk together. Towering, moving digital panels create an immersive virtual world. Astonishing costumes and props imagine an unknown future.

How to attend The Ring Cycle

All ticket holders for the postponed 2021 production will be contacted by Opera Australia or their ticketing outlet with further information about transferring their tickets to 2023. New audiences can join The Ring Cycle waitlist for tickets at the Opera Australia website.

The performance dates for 2023 are:

Cycle 1

Das Rheingold                   1^st December

Die Walküre                       3^rd December

Siegfried                              5^th December

Götterdämmerung            7^th December

Cycle 2

Das Rheingold                    8^th December

Die Walküre                        10^th December

Siegfried                              12^th December

Götterdämmerung            14^th December

Cycle 3

Das Rheingold                    15^th December

Die Walküre                        17^th December

Siegfried                               19^th December

Götterdämmerung             21^st December

Aida

6, 9, 11, 13, 16, 18, 20 December 2023

The Ring Cycle Brisbane is supported by the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland and Brisbane City Council via Brisbane Economic Development Agency and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar. The Ring Cycle Brisbane is presented by Opera Australia, in association with Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University.

Opera Australia is committed to COVID Safe practices.
Please refer to the website for the company’s COVID Safe procedures: https://opera.org.au/covid-safety

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