Don't miss the final opportunity to experience Otto Schenk's landmark production of the world's greatest theatrical journey. Wagner's monumental four-part epic of universal destiny is a supreme challenge for any opera company, and no other staging matches the sheer grandeur and scope of the Met's. James Levine, one of the great Wagnerians, leads his magnificent orchestra in the Met's revival of this masterpiece. The Ring of the Nibelung is a cycle of four epic music dramas by the German composer Richard Wagner. The operas are based loosely on characters from the Norse sagas and the Nibelungenlied. The works are often referred to as "The Ring Cycle", "Wagner's Ring", or simply "The Ring." Wagner wrote the libretto and music over the course of about twenty-six years, from 1848 to 1874. The four operas that constitute the Ring cycle are, in the order of the imagined events they portray: Das Rheingold (The Rhinegold), Die Walküre (The Valkyrie), Siegfried and Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods). Although individual operas are performed as works in their own right, a full understanding of the story of the Ring cycle requires attendance at all four operas, which was the intention and expectation of the composer.
Fred Plotkin, author of Opera 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Opera, sets the gold standard as a study leader for opera, food, wind and all the pleasures of life. You will join him on your Met opera tour for all performances and for four outstanding meals at peerless New York restaurants.
Please do not miss the chance to join Fred for another season of superb opera and camaraderie. Tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime operatic experience are hard to come by, so act now!
New York City
Itinerary
Day One - Monday, May 4
Arrive during the morning or early afternoon and check into a centrally located luxurious hotel.
Walk to your welcome dinner.
7:15 p.m. Walk to the Metropolitan Opera House.
8:00 p.m. Enjoy tonight's performance, Das Rheingold composed by Richard Wagner. Traversing the realms of nymphs, dwarves, gods, and giants, this introduction to the world of the Ring stars the great James Morris reprising his unforgettable Wotan, the whose ambitions and fears set off a chain of events that will alter the universe.
Cast includes: Levine; Harmer, Naef, Grove, Begley, Siegel, Morris, Fink, Pape, Tomlinson.
Return to the hotel and overnight.
Day Two - Tuesday, May 5
Breakfast on your own.
Overview of today's opera, Die Walküre, from Fred.
Lunch.
5:15 p.m. Walk to the Metropolitan Opera House.
6:00 p.m. Enjoy Die Walküre.
Cast includes: Levine; Gasteen, Pieczonka, Naef, Domingo, Morris, Pape
Return to the hotel and overnight.
Day Three - Wednesday, May 6
Breakfast on your own.
Discussion with Fred.
Afternoon free for matinees and evening at theater. For those who want, they can attend Rossini's La Cenerentola at the Met, we can arrange purchase of your tickets.
Day Four - Thursday, May 7
Breakfast on your own.
Fred will lead a discussion of today's opera.
Lunch.
5:15 p.m. Walk to the Metropolitan Opera House.
6:00 p.m. Attend tonight's performance, Siegfried. Gods and monsters vanish before the greater power of human love as the young hero Siegfried, played by Christian Franz, pursues his destiny to unite with Brünnhilde.
Cast includes: Levine; Gasteen, Grove, West, Siegel, Morris.
Return to hotel and overnight.
Day Five - Friday, May 8
Breakfast on your own.
Fred will lead a discussion of today's opera.
Afternoon and evening free. For those who choose, you can attend Verdi's Il Trovatore at the Met, we can arrange your tickets for you.
Return to hotel and overnight.
Day Six - Saturday, May 9
Breakfast on your own.
Discussion of Götterdämmerung with Fred followed by your farewell luncheon.
5:45 p.m. Walk to the Metropolitan Opera House.
6:30 p.m. This evening, attend Gotterdammerung. The Ring's final chapter is a saga of passion and vengeance, culminating in an act of self-sacrifice and redemption.
Cast includes: Levine; Gasteen, Wray, Naef, West, Paterson, Fink, Tomlinson.
Return to the hotel for a farewell toast after the performance.
Day Seven - Sunday, May 10
Breakfast followed by check out and departure.
Included in the program:
- Six nights accommodation at a four star hotel
- Orchestra Prime tickets to the four highly anticipated performances of the Ring Cycle at the Metropolitan Opera
- Fascinating lectures and discussions with Fred Plotkin about the operas you will attend
- Four excellent meals with wine at some of the finest restaurants in New York; menus selected by Fred Plotkin
- All taxes and service charges, hotel porterage (one bag per person) and restaurant gratuities
Among the restaurants that might be featured in Fred Plotkin's New York opera tours are: Abboccato, Alto, Aureole, Beacon, Cafe des Artistes, Cafe Fiorello, Cafe Luxembourg, Compass, Le Cirque, the Modern, Molyvos, Oceana, Picholine, Porter House, San Domenico, and Town. We continue to seek out the chefs and tables that will offer a dining experience during your stay that only New York can offer. Restaurant choices subject to change, but will be of same quality.
Notes:
Casting and program always subject to change.
Pre and post nights on request at special rates, but must be booked in advance and subject to availability.
Photos courtesy of International Kitchen
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