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Ring Festival LA Media Contact:
Catherine Babcock
Public Relations Consultant
cbabcock@RingFestivalLA.com
P: (213) 972-7691
MEDIA ALERT AND LISTINGS
RING FESTIVAL LA
WEEK IX, June 7- June 13, 2010
| What: |
LA Opera presents the second cycle of Richard Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen, with performances of Das
Rheingold on June 8 (7:30pm); Die Walküre on June 10 (6pm); Siegfried on June 13 (noon); and
Götterdämmerung on June 16 (6pm). All performances take place at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The
Ring cycle productions are conducted by James Conlon, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director and directed
by Achim Freyer.
As the second Ring cycle begins, Ring Festival LA, the countywide arts celebration inspired by the
Ring, offers opera attendees and Angelenos alike, arts and cultural events across Los Angeles. The festival
brings a broad variety of Ring-inspired seminars, lectures, classes, art exhibitions, concerts, walking
tours, and online exhibits, in addition to German food, hot dogs and beer. Ring Festival LA continues to
ring with opera, arts and culture through June.
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| Who/Where: |
LA Opera
Der Ring des Nibelungen
Performance dates:
Cycle 2: Das Rheingold (6/8); Die Walküre (6/10); Siegfried (6/13);
Götterdämmerung (6/16)
Cycle 3: Das Rheingold (6/18); Die Walküre (6/20); Siegfried (6/23);
Götterdämmerung (6/26)
(For performance times and ticket information visit www.laopera.com)
The second cycle in LA Opera's first full production of Richard Wagner's Ring, opens with Das
Rheingold on June 8 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The Ring cycle cast includes soprano Linda Watson
as Brünnhilde, with tenor John Treleaven as Siegfried, bass Vitalij Kowaljow as Wotan, baritone Richard Paul Fink as
Alberich, tenor Plácido Domingo as Siegmund, mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung as Sieglinde, mezzo-soprano Jill Grove as
Erda and tenor Graham Clark as Mime. Ms. DeYoung will also perform Fricka in Das Rheingold and Waltraute in
Götterdämmerung, and the cast also features bass Eric Halfvarson as Fafner, Hunding and Hagen; tenor Arnold
Bezuyen as Loge; mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk as Fricka in Die Walküre; bass-baritone Alan Held as
Gunther; and soprano Jennifer Wilson as Gutrune. James Conlon, LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director, conducts a
production staged by legendary theater artist Achim Freyer.
Tickets: Single tickets for the individual operas range from $50-$275, and are available at
www.laoperaring.com, (213) 972-8001, or at the theater's Box Office.
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center of Los Angeles County, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact: Gary Murphy, Director of Communications, LA Opera,
gmurphy@laopera.com or (213) 972-7554
The HEART Project
The Ring Cycle: Re-Mixed, June 7, 9 am-Noon
The HeArt Project, an arts program for teenagers in alternative high schools, comes to the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
to remix the Ring. Guided by professional artists HeArt Project teens have been examining Richard Wagner's
epic during the spring semester. Asking questions such as: how can contemporary youth culture and new technologies
re-imagine Wagner's vision in the 21st century? Can today's innovation and technology illuminate connections to the
grand visions of the past? Can the epic struggles of ancient myth be re-configured for an accelerated global culture?
Students have been reflecting on these concepts while creating their own artwork. These works will be displayed and
discussed. Open to the public.
RSVP: www.theheartproject.org or (213) 744-1404
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Grand Hall, Music Center of Los Angeles County, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA
90012
Contact: Suzy Foster, Development and Communications director,
suzy@theheartproject.org or (213)
744-1404
University of Southern California: College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
"Wagner's Ring Cycle: Meanings, Sources, Influences," June 7, 14, & 21, 7:30-9:30 pm; June 12, 10 am-12
pm
Enrich your understanding of the Ring with an in-depth study of the operas with USC faculty and other guest
speakers. The four-part series includes a back-stage tour of LA Opera's Siegfried production on June 12.
Info: www.college.usc.edu or (213) 740-1349
Admission: $200 (open to the public)
Register: www.regonline.com/wagnerringcycle
USC Campus, Taper of Hall Humanities, 3501 Trousdale Pkwy., Los Angeles, CA 90089
Contact: Susan Kamei, Associate Dean Advanced and Professional Programs, College of Letters, Arts and
Sciences, University of Southern California, kamei@college.usc or (213)
740-1375
Los Angeles Public Library
We Tell Stories Presents a Play: Rhine's Gold, June 8, 4 pm, San Pedro Regional Branch Library &
June 24, 4 pm, Arroyo Seco Regional Branch Library
Meet gods, dwarves, giants and mermaids in the Wagnerian romp The Rhine's Gold. Based on Wagner's opera,
Das Rheingold, this production by We Tell Stories features a puppet dwarf, charming costumes transformed from
ordinary objects, musical experts from opera, and audience participation. For children ages 5-12 and their families.
Info: www.ringfestivalla.com or
www.lapl.org
Contact: Peter V. Persic, Public Relations & Marketing Director, Los Angeles Public Library,
ppersic@lapl.org or
213-228-755
The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens/LA Opera Seminar
"Wagner, His World and His Critics," June 9, 10 am-4 pm
The Huntington Library is the repository of a first edition of George Bernard Shaw's famous criticism: The Perfect
Wagnerite, on display in the Library. Featuring LA Opera's Richard Seaver Music Director James Conlon; Wagner
scholar John Deathridge; UCLA musicology professor Mitchell Morris; and opera lecturer Desirée Mays, the seminar will
explore how Wagner's contemporary critics viewed his work and the world. The seminar day includes a musical
performance, lunch and admission to the galleries and gardens.
Admission: $65, open to 60 participants
Register: www.laopera.com or (213) 972-8001
1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino, CA 91108
Contact: Lisa Blackburn, Communications Coordinator,
lblackburn@huntington.org or (626) 405-2140
Mount St. Mary's College
Seminar: "Myth and Imagery of the Ring," June 11-12, 9 am-4 pm
This seminar explores the significance of the "ring" in Wagnerian operas, compares it to Tolkien's Lord of the
Rings, and focuses on LA Opera's Ring production. The lectures, video clips, handouts, and panel of
scholars will stimulate small-group discussions inspired by the ancient Northern saga of warriors, dragons, and heroic
encounters with evil.
Admission: $100 (March-April), $125 (May-June).
Register: www.msmc.la.edu/ringseminars
Contact: Debbie Ream. Director, Public Relations, dream@msmc.la.edu or
(213) 477-2505
The Museum of Contemporary Arts, Los Angeles & LA Opera
Domingo-Thornton Young Artists in Recital, June 11, 4 pm; June 18 & 25, Noon
Young artists from LA Opera's Domingo-Thornton Young Artist Program perform in recitals featuring the music of
Wagner.
Info: www.moca.org or 213-626-6222. MOCA Admission $10, Seniors/Students $5
250 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact: Gary Murphy, Director of Communications, LA Opera,
gmurphy@laopera.com or (213) 972-7554
Lyric Opera of Los Angeles
Wagner's Die Feen (The Fairies), June 11, 12, 17 & 19, 7:30 pm
Lyric Opera of Los Angeles will perform the U.S. stage premiere of Wagner's first completed opera Die Feen (The
Fairies), an opera in three acts. The performances will be fully staged with orchestra.
Tickets: www.lyricoperala.org
Pasadena Playhouse, 39 El Molino Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105
Contact: Laura Sage, Executive Director, 877-LOLAOPERA
Machine Project LA
Out of the Forest and Into the Light: Props for Richard Wagner/Jason Brown on the "Operatic Origins of the
American Space Program"/The ing cycle,
Installation continues through June 19
Machine Project will present a basement installation tracing the history of Wagnerian set design, as well as a series
of performances and lectures interpreting the Ring cycle. Artist Liz Glynn will construct a series of
sculptural vignettes and drawings tracing the evolution of Wagnerian set design from naturalism to abstraction as it
evolved at the Bayreuth Festival.
Visit machineproject.com for details.
"Operatic Origins of the American Space Program," June 12, 8 pm
Theorist and author Jason Brown will lecture on the operatic origins of the American space program.
ing, June 19, 8 pm
The duo ing will perform a lo-fi musical interpretation of all four operas in an evening entitled "the
ing cycle."
1200 N. Alvarado, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Contact: Catherine Babcock, Ringfestivalla.com or (213)
972-7691
LACMA
"Wagner and Masks: from the Artwork of the Future to Achim Freyer's Ring," June 12, 2 pm
A lecture by Katherine R. Syer, Assistant Professor of Musicology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
"Myths, Legends and Cultural Renewal: Wagner's Sources: through August 16, Mon., Tue. &
Thu., Noon-8 pm; Fri., Noon -9 pm; Sat. & Sun. 11 am-8 pm
This exhibition drawn from LACMA's collection explores Germanic myths and legends in various embodiments in the modern
era. Myths, legends, and fables form an essential component of cultural renewal. Reinvented and passed on by each
generation, they have continued to fascinate artists into the modern era. Integrated into the awakening of German
nationalism in the 19th century, these traditions continued to fascinate various authors and artists into the high
modernism of the early 20th century.
Info: www.lacma.org or (323) 932-5881.
Admission: $12, Seniors (62+) & Students (18+) (with ID) $8; Children (17 and under) free.
5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026
Contact: Barbara Pflaumer, Associate Vice President and Director of Press Relations,
bpflaumer@lacma.org or (323) 932-5881
Norton Simon Museum
André Dombrowski, on "Wagner, Cézanne and Early Modernist Painting in France," June 12, 4 pm
André Dombrowski, assistant professor, Department of the History of Art, University of Pennsylvania, addresses the
popularization of Wagner's operas in France in the 1860s and 1870s, especially the aesthetic and political
implications of his influence on French avant-garde painting, such as Cézanne's Girl at the Piano (Overture to
Tannhäuser), 1868, painted just before the Franco-Prussian War.
Info: www.nortonsimon.org or (626) 449-6840
Free with museum admission: Adults $8; Seniors/Students (with ID) $4, Patrons 18 & under free
Form and Emotion in Rodin and Wagner, through June 30, Wed.-Mon., 12-6 pm
The museum presents a self-guided tour of the eight sculptures by Auguste Rodin in the Museum's gardens. The tour
draws interesting parallels between the two great 19th-century artists: Richard Wagner, the preeminent composer of
Romantic music, and Rodin, the first sculptor of the modern age.
411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105
Contact: Leslie Denk, Director of Marketing and Communications,
ldenk@nortonsimon.org or (626) 844-6941
Classical KUSC 91.5 FM
Ring Programming
LA Opera on Air: broadcast of Siegfried, hosted by Duff Murphy; June 12, 10am
KUSC has many exciting Ring Festival events planned for June, including its broadcast series "LA Opera on
Air," which includes LA Opera performances of all four Ring operas.
KUSC Ring Tones
Duff Murphy presents special 90-second features in June, illuminating unusual aspects of the cycle.
Info: www.KUSC.org or (213) 225-7412.
Contact: Gail Eichenthal, Program Director, geichenthal@kusc.org or
(213) 225-7422
Center Theatre Group
Reading of Richard and Felix: Twilight in Venice by Cornelius Schnauber, June 13, 7 pm
Richard Wagner, in the last hours of his life, meditates about his life and the terrible knowledge his rival Felix
Mendelssohn seemed to have about the future. Mendelssohn appears from the other side and a dramatic dialogue
ensues.
Tickets: $20, www.centertheatregroup.org or (213) 628-2772
Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
Contact: Cornelius Schnauber, corneliusschnauber@msn.com or
(310) 397-5778
18th Street Arts Center/Clayton Campbell
Digital Wagner, through June 25, Mon.-Fri. 11 am-5:30 pm
Acclaimed Los Angeles artist Clayton Campbell presents a digital photographic and media installation which explores
the symbolism, mythic storytelling and social relevancy of the Ring cycle.
Info: www.18thstreet.org or (310) 453-3711
18th Street Arts Center, 1639 18th St., Santa Monica, CA 90404
Contact; Ronald Lopez, Program Coordinator, office@18thstreet.org
or (310) 453-3711, x103
ACE Gallery
Achim Freyer, through August 14, Tue.-Sat. 10 am-6 pm
The gallery showing of paintings by LA Opera's Ring director/designer, Achim Freyer, affords an opportunity
to become acquainted with the artist's work beyond the stage. A reception for the artist will be held on June 19 from
7 to 9 pm. Founded in 1961 by the Gallery's current director, Douglas Chrismas, ACE Gallery has a history of
installing ambitious museum quality exhibitions.
Info: www.acegallery.net or (323) 935-4411
5514 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Alice Hutchinson, ahutchinson@acegallery.net or (323) 935-4411
Autry National Center
Opera in the Libraries (online exhibition) through July 2010
The online exhibition will draw on the collections of the Braun Research Library and Autry Library. Featured will be a
rare 1912 recording of French tenor Augustarello Affre recorded in Los Angeles by Charles F. Lummis and the libretto
from La Fanciulla del West with music composed by Giacomo Puccini. To view the exhibition, visit
www.theautry.org /collections/opera
Contact: Joan Cumming,
jcumming@autrynationalcenter.org
California Art Club
Paintings from the Ring Paint-Outs, through July 16
For the past year, members of the California Art Club have been painting scenes and mythic themes of the Ring
cycle in plein air at various locations around the county. The finished works by the nationally renowned
artists who participated are on exhibition in three locations.
Info: www.californiaartclub.org or (626) 583-9009/
www.olacathedral.org, (213) 680-5200
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact: Beverly Chang, beverly@brcart.com or
(310)709-4922
Descanso Gardens
Trees of Norse Myth, through June 30, 9 am-5 pm
Descanso Gardens will feature the Trees of Norse Myth-a gardens exploration of the tales and tree specimens
figuring in the original Norse myths which inspired Wagner's Ring cycle. The map for this exploration, in the
form of a self-guided tour, will be available for free download beginning May 27, 2010.
Info: www.descansogardens.org or (818) 952-4391
Admission: $8, Senior/Students $6, Children (5-12 years) $3, Guild Members and Children under 5 free
1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada-Flintridge, CA 91011
Contact: Brenda Reese, PR@descansogardens.org or (818)
949-7984
Griffith Observatory
Samuel Oschin Planetarium Exhibit: Light of the Valkyries,
May 18-September 5, Tues.-Fri. 12-10 pm; Sat.-Sun. 10 am-10 pm
Viking myth and modern astrophysics converge in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium for a celebration of the northern lights
orchestrated to the music of Wagner's Ring cycle. This exciting and unprecedented new live planetarium show
will be performed daily.
Info: www.griffithobservatory.org or (213) 473-0800.
Admission: $7, Seniors/Students & FOTO Members $5, Children (ages 5-12) $3
2800 E. Observatory Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90027
Contact: Bonnie Winings, SWPR Group, bwinings@swprgroup.com or
(818) 760-7131
H. Studio
Sculptures, Paintings, Photographs, through June 30, Mon,-Fri., 8 am-5 pm; Sat., 10 am-6 pm, Sun., 11 am-5
pm,
A showcase of art works depicting rings and Ring themes.
Info: www.hstudio.com or (818) 767-5334
8412 Lankershim Blvd., Sun Valley, CA 91352
Contact: Ellen McAlister, ellen@hstudio.com or (800)
242-8992
Istituto Italiano di Cultural
MARIA CALLAS: A Woman, A Voice, A Myth, through June 30, Mon.-Thu. 10 am-6 pm, Fri. 10 am-5 pm
(closed between 1 & 2 pm) & Sat. 10 am-2 pm
It was 1958 when soprano Maria Callas first performed in California in an extraordinary concert directed by Nicola
Rescigno here at the Shrine Auditorium. More than fifty years after this encounter Angelenos can again engage with "La
Divina" in an exhibition that includes: memorabilia, stage costumes, rare documents, jewels, books, letters and
archival photographs collected by Bruno Tosi, President of the International Maria Callas Association. The highly
acclaimed exhibit has traveled the world since 1993. It has been extensively enlarged and updated for its Los Angeles
showing and includes documentation of the acclaim Callas received for her 1947 Venice performance in Wagner's
Tristan and Isolde.
Info: www.iiclosangeles.esteri.it or (310) 443-3250
1023 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024
Contact: Serena Camozzo, serena.camozzo.iic@esteri.it or
(310) 443-3250 x107
The Latino Museum of History, Art and Culture
Epic Tales of Latino Art, through June 30, Tue.-Sun. 10 am-4 pm
Epic Tales of Latino Art presents Latino artists' heroic quest to find identity and self definition. This
exhibit showcases works in The Latino Museum's permanent collections that, like Richard Wagner's Ring, are
dramatic, mythical, fantastical, conflicting, yet real and thought provoking.
514 S. Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90013
Contact: Yesica Allala, allalayes@yahoo.com or (213) 626-7600/ (310)
954-6187
Los Angeles Conservancy
Tour: German Influence on Los Angeles' mid 20th Century Landscape (ongoing)
In the 1930s and '40s, the city became home to some of the greatest German artists, architects, and writers, who
sought refuge here during the rise of National Socialism in Europe. The Los Angeles Conservancy will highlight the
physical landscape of the city's 20th-century German influence with a self-guided tour of historic sites related to
notable figures including Thomas Mann, Alfred Döblin, and Bertolt Brecht. Visit these sites online with an easy-to-use
Google map or print the map and explore the sites firsthand. Annotated map available at:
www.laconservancy.org
Contact: Cindy Olnik, colnick@laconservancy.org or (213)
430-4214
Robert V. Fullerton Art Museum, California State University, San Bernardino
Timeless Enchantment: Richard Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung in Visual Arts and Performance,
thorough July 31, Tue., Wed. Fri. & Sat., 10 am-5 pm; Thu., 10 am-7 pm.
Part of a larger series investigating the various ways the story and music of Wagner's Ring has continued to
be used in music, visual arts, theater, literature, movies, comic books, etc., this exhibition has two components: the
Ring story in Arthur Rackham's illustrations and photographs from various Ring performances.
Info: www.museum.csusb.edu or (909) 537-5000
5500 University Pkwy., San Bernardino, CA 92407
Contact: Andrea Callahan, Development and PR Associate,
acallahan@csusb.edu or (909) 537-3373
Ruth Bachofner Gallery
Monika Rittershaus: LA Ring in Photographs, through July 26, Tue. - Sat.
10 am-6 pm
Performance photos by Monika Rittershaus of LA Opera's first presentation of the Ring, directed and designed
by Achim Freyer. Rittershaus is an internationally distinguished theater photographer and the exclusive photographer
for the production.
Info: ruthbachofnergallery.com or (310) 829-3300
Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., G2, Santa Monica CA 90404
Contact: www.ruthbachofnergallery.com or (310) 829
3300
Santa Monica Museum of Art (SMMoA)
Ring: Works from SMMoA's Park Studio project, through August 21, 2010, Tues.-Sat. 11 am-6
pm
Santa Monica Museum of Art presents Ring an exhibition featuring work completed during the museum's signature
outreach program for teens entitled Park Studio. Students worked with artist Gordon Bowen and his Arts
ReFoundry Atelier to create sculptures in bronze inspired by themes from Wagner's Ring cycle.
Info: www.smmoa.org or (310) 586-6488
Bergamont Station, G1, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404
Contact: Miranda Carroll, Director of Communications,
miranda.carroll@smmoa.org or (310) 586-6488 ext. 123
Let's Be Frank
German Hot Dogs, through June 26
The famous grass-fed beef hot dogs of Let's Be Frank will be available throughout Ring Festival LA during
selected events. In honor of the Ring, Let's Be Frank has created a special German hot dog.
For cart/trailer schedule: www.letsbefrankdogs.com
Contact: Heather Priest, heatherapriest@gmail.com or
310-980-5163
The Opera League of Los Angeles
Concierge Information (performance days)/Online Service & Ring Merchandise, Online
(anytime) through June 26
On Ring cycle performance days, visitors can find answers to their questions at the booth on Music Center
Plaza.
Special Ring-related merchandise is available in the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion lobby or online at:
www.laoperashop.com.
Info: (323) 256-1814.
Online Concierge: www.operaleague.org; Merchandise:
www.laoperashop.com
Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Music Center of Los Angeles County, 135 N. Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Contact: Gary Murphy, Director of Communications, LA Opera,
gmurphy@laopera.com or (213) 972-7554
Patina Restaurant Association
German Food Festival
Savor specialty menu items by German Chef Joachim Splichal inspired by The Ring at select Patina Restaurant
Group locations through June 26
Info: www.patinagroup.com
Patina's German Beer Garden on the Music Center Plaza, through June 26
Enjoy a German beer before or after a performance, or just stop by to relax on the Music Center Plaza.
Music Center of Los Angeles County, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA, 90012
Contact: Lauren Reilly, Marketing Director/West Coast, Patina Restaurant Group,
lreilly@patinagroup.com or (213) 814-3268
RING FESTIVAL LA MERCHANDISE
Shop for posters, tee-shirts, tote bags and more at: www.laoperashop.com
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For a full listing of Ring Festival LA events visit
www.ringfestivalla.com
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