UPCOMING EVENTS
Managing the Stage: from Austria to Australia
What does it take to stage manage a grand opera like the Ring Cycle?
Anna Frey will present us with a glimpse of her successful career as a stage manager, having wrangled singers, musicians, stagehands and digital sets in the Ring Cycles in Bendigo, Brisbane and in Erl (Austria) in the last few years.
Anna Frey, an Austrian-born Stage Manager and fervent Opera Enthusiast, discovered her passion for music at a young age. Throughout her studies at the Conservatorium in Innsbruck, Anna actively participated in orchestras, bands, and the school choir. It was during this time that she realised her true calling lay behind the scene. Consequently, Anna pursued an undergraduate degree in Economics from the British Open University, followed by a Master's in Cultural and Event Management in Kufstein, Austria. In late 2020, Anna embarked on her professional journey with Tiroler Festspiele Erl, starting as a Technical Assistant before swiftly ascending to Stage Manager the following year. Her inaugural show call was 'Rheingold,' marking the beginning of her involvement in a series of three Ring Cycles. Anna's expertise extends across borders, as she seamlessly navigates between Austria and Australia, contributing her skills to esteemed institutions such as Melbourne Opera, Opera Australia, and Volksoper Vienna.
The presentation will be followed by refreshments.
Cost: Members $35, Guests $40, Students $25
Bookings: https://www.wagnermelb.org.au/book-now/p/managing-the-stage-2024
Richard Wagner Birthday Lunch 2024
Save the date! Our annual birthday lunch for Richard Wagner is planned for the Sunday 26 May. Details to follow.
Stammtisch!
We are holding our first Stammtisch! This is an informal gathering for our members to get together to socialise with no agenda, no lectures, no recital (unless someone starts to sing!). We hope to make this a semi-regular event.
This one will be held at the Hophaus, in Southgate. We have booked some tables, and will be providing some nibbles. Purchase your own beverage.
We do encourage new members to come along and meet the others!
Venue: Hophaus Bar, Shop MR5, Mid Level,Southgate Restaurant & Shopping Precinct, Southbank
Date/Time: from 6pm on Thursday 18 April 2024 - drop in when you can
Cost: we provide the snacks, you buy your own drinks
Please respond to the mini-survey here so that we have a sense of number of attendees.
RWS Christmas Lunch
Come and have a fun lunch at the German Club Tivoli to celebrate an early Christmas (to avoid clashing with the Brisbane Ring). There will be food, drinks, a sing-along and other entertainment. Dress up in your dirndl or lederhosen if you like!
Cost: Members $100, Guests $110
Bookings can be made here.
Deadline extended: Please book by Friday 10 November 2023
RWS 2023 AGM
PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE to accommodate more members’ availabilities.
The Richard Wagner Society Inc (VIC) will hold its annual AGM once again at Flockart Hall, MLC. Details to follow.
Private Screening: Rheingold from the Royal Opera
A private screening of Barrie Kosky’s new production of Rheingold for the Royal Opera (UK), at the Kino cinema in Melbourne city.
Celebrated Australian director Barrie Kosky joins forces with conductor Antonio Pappano in a bold new imagining of the first chapter of Wagner's Ring cycle, a work which boasts some of the greatest music ever written for the opera stage. When a precious hoard of gold is stolen from the river Rhine, it unleashes a chain of destructive events, pitting gods and mortals against one another for generations. The outstanding cast includes Christopher Maltman as Wotan, Marina Prudenskaya as Fricka and Christopher Purves as Alberich. This production marks the start of a new Ring cycle for The Royal Opera.
Details of the film are here.
Light refreshments will be available. Please note, this is a session booked just for the Society’s members and guests.
Date / time: Sunday 14 October, 4:00pm
Venue: Kino cinema, 45 Collins St, Melbourne 3000 - Cinema 3
Bookings: can be made here
Members’ screening: Global Wagner - From Bayreuth to the World
On 24 September we will be screening this very interesting documentary followed by refreshments.
Date & time: Sunday 24 September 4pm
Venue: the Performance Space, Library at the Docklands
Cost: $25 / $30 / $15
Bookings: Book here
Global Wagner – From Bayreuth to the World, a film by Axel Brüggemann, is not a biography of Richard Wagner, nor is it a musicological analysis of his work. This is a documentary dedicated solely to the world’s fascination with the man, and an exploration of the question as to how such massive hype and world-wide cult following developed around this highly controversial artist. The film is a revealing feature-length study of life with Wagner’s legacy from one Bayreuth Festival to the next, and we travel the world to meet devoted Wagnerians and those most intimately involved in commenting on and producing his work today. Featuring:
Katharina Wagner
Christian Thielemann
Alex Ross
Valery Gergiev
Plácido Domingo
Piotr Beczała
Barrie Kosky
Anja Harteros
Richard Wagner's Birthday Lunch 2023
Date: Sunday 21 May 2023
Time: 12:00pm - 2:30pm
Cost: Members $110 Guests $120 Students $80
Venue: Yarra Room, Melbourne Town Hall - 90-130 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Please book: by 13 May or sooner if maximum attendees of 60 is reached
Bookings online: click HERE or copy this link into your browser address field https://www.wagnermelb.org.au/book-now/p/wagner-birthday-lunch-2023
If you are unable to book via the website, please contact president@wagnermelb.org.au
Melbourne Opera: The Ring Cycle
One of the biggest productions in all the performing arts, Richard Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle, will be staged in Bendigo by the critically and popularly acclaimed Melbourne Opera.
The $5 million production will employ over 250 Australian singers, musicians, creatives and technicians. Exclusively staged in the regional Australian destination, the production is expected to drive major tourism to the region with three full Ring Cycles performed over six weeks from 24 March until 1 May 2023 at the Ulumbarra Theatre. The production also marks Bendigo’s inaugural annual Easter opera festival, presented by Melbourne Opera.
Each Ring Cycle will be performed over two weekends, from Friday-Sunday, encouraging longer stays in the booming Bendigo region, which has hosted a number of international arts and culture exhibitions and events in recent years.
A distinguished cast has been assembled for the Bendigo Ring, with Warwick Fyfe continuing his acclaimed performance as Wotan, Antoinette Halloran and Zara Barrett as Brunnhilde, Simon Meadows as Alberich, Lee Abrahmsen as Sieglinde, Bradley Daley and Bradley Cooper as Siegfried, Sarah Sweeting as Fricka, Deborah Humble as Erda, James Egglestone as Loge and Siegmund, Robert Macfarlane as Mime, Steven Gallop as Fafner, Darren Jeffery as Fasolt, Adrian Tamburini as Hunding, and a plethora of distinguished singers in the many other roles including Christopher Hillier, Christopher Tonkin, Jason Wasley, Rebecca Rashleigh, Sally-Anne Russell, Rosamund Illing, Olivia Cranwell, Liane Keegan, Dimity Shepherd, Kerry Gill, Eleanor Greenwood, Naomi Flatman, Caroline Vercoe, Teresa Ingrilli and Jordan Kahler.
Further Information: https://www.melbourneopera.com/project/bendigo-ring-cycle/
Bookings: https://www.bendigoregion.com.au/arts-culture-theatres/the-ring-cycle-tickets
An Afternoon with Maestro Negus and Carmen Jakobi
Following on from the last event with Suzanne and Andrew from Melbourne Opera’s Ring Cycle creatives, we now have coming up very shortly an in-person and online event featuring Maestro Anthony Negus and Carmen Jakobi. Apologies for the short notice, but the event was only confirmed recently.
Date: Saturday 11 February 2023
Time: 2pm
Venue: Jubilee Hall, Lithuanian Club - 44 Errol Street, North Melbourne
Cost: Members $35, Guests $40, Students $25, Zoom $10
The venue is where rehearsals are currently being held, so if you can attend in person you’ll be able to get a feel of the rehearsal room! Plus there will be refreshments after the event. But if you can’t physically attend, you can join us over Zoom.
Book online here.
Mining for Mime: a directing tenor’s exploration of Wagner Ring, Bayreuth’s Bierhallen and tales about why you should always wear sneakers to the opera
Robert Macfarlane was the 2020 winner of the RWS Young Artist Award. Due to COVID lockdowns, he was finally able to claim his prize to attend the Bayreuth Festival this year. In the meantime, Robert had furthered his skills as an opera director and is preparing for his role debut as Mime in the Melbourne Opera’s Ring Cycle whilst juggling a job in a hospital.
Join us as Robert entertains us with tales from Bayreuth, from the rehearsal room, and with some tunes thrown in for good measure.
WHEN: Tuesday 18 October 2022, 6pm - 8:30pm
WHERE: The Performance Space, Library at The Dock
Level 2, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade
Corner of Collins and Bourke streets, Docklands VIC 3008
PRICE: $40 Members | $45 Guests | $25 Students
Book tickets here or paste this URL into your browser:
https://www.wagnermelb.org.au/book-now/p/mining-for-mime
The Master's Apprentices: Great Wagner Conductors from Hans von Bulow to Herbert von Karajan
Professor Raymond Holden A.M. returns from the UK to give us another audio/visual presentation on Wagnerian Conductors.
Please join us for this exciting members’ event, which will include Q&A time and light refreshments afterwards.
WHEN: Sunday 24 July 2022 – 2:00pm to 4:30pm
WHERE: The Performance Space, Library at The Dock
Level 2, 107 Victoria Harbour Promenade
Corner of Collins and Bourke streets, Docklands VIC 3008
PRICE: $40 Members | $45 Guests | $25 Students
Book tickets here or paste this URL into your browser:
https://www.wagnermelb.org.au/book-now/p/the-masters-apprentices
Richard Wagner's Birthday Lunch
Date: Sunday 29 May 2022
Time: 12:00pm - 2:30pm
Cost: Members $100 Guests $110 Students $75
Venue: Yarra Room, Melbourne Town Hall - 90-130 Swanston St, Melbourne VIC 3000
Please book: by 19 May or sooner if maximum attendees of 50 is reached
Bookings online: click HERE or copy this link into your browser address field https://www.wagnermelb.org.au/book-now/p/wagner-birthday-lunch-2022
If you are unable to book via the website, please contact president@wagnermelb.org.au
Richard Wagner Society Inc. Presents Antoinette Halloran & James Egglestone
The Richard Wagner Society Inc. of Victoria presents an unmissable event – Australian operatic superstars Antoinette Halloran and James Egglestone in concert together for the first time. Join these renowned singers for an unforgettable concert – including the Wesendonck Lieder, arias from Wagner’s operas, rarely-heard Wagner songs, and works by Liszt, Schubert and Strauss. This recital will also feature a performance of One Life Stand, a song cycle by celebrated young British composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad, recently given its Australian premiere by Antoinette Halloran.
Antoinette and James are joined by our very own wonderful pianist / committee member Coady Green.
60 minutes in duration with no intermission. Doors and bar open 30 minutes before start of the show.
Part of a the Chamber Music Week at MC Showroom in Prahran. Bookings can be made through Eventbrite
Richard Wagner Society Inc. Presents Antoinette Halloran & James Egglestone
The Richard Wagner Society Inc. of Victoria presents an unmissable event – Australian operatic superstars Antoinette Halloran and James Egglestone in concert together for the first time. Join these renowned singers for an unforgettable concert – including the Wesendonck Lieder, arias from Wagner’s operas, rarely-heard Wagner songs, and works by Liszt, Schubert and Strauss. This recital will also feature a performance of One Life Stand, a song cycle by celebrated young British composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad, recently given its Australian premiere by Antoinette Halloran.
Antoinette and James are joined by our very own wonderful pianist / committee member Coady Green.
60 minutes in duration with no intermission. Doors and bar open 30 minutes before start of the show.
Part of a the Chamber Music Week at MC Showroom in Prahran. Bookings can be made through Eventbrite
A Dialogue with Steven Gallop
Join us for a discussion with bass Steven Gallop about his career, his roles and his latest involvement with Melbourne Opera's Die Walküre.
This event will be held both in-person and via Zoom
Bookings can be made here.
Film: Marjorie Lawrence - The World At Her Feet
Exclusive members and guests’ screening of the new documentary on Marjorie Lawrence at Cinema Nova, Carlton.
The Brisbane Ring – Cycle 3 (POSTPONED)
The Ring Cycle
OPERA AUSTRALIA
Das Rheingold
14 November 2021, 7pm
Die Walküre
16 November 2021, 5pm
Siegfried
18 November 2021, 5pm
Götterdämmerung
20 November 2021, 1pm
CAST
WOTAN / WANDERER Daniel Sumegi
BRÜNNHILDE Anna-Louise Cole
SIEGFRIED Stefan Vinke
ALBERICH Warwick Fyfe
MIME Andreas Conrad
SIEGMUND Rosario La Spina
SIEGLINDE Olivia Cranwell
The Brisbane Ring – Cycle 2 (POSTPONED)
The Ring Cycle
OPERA AUSTRALIA
Das Rheingold
6 November 2021, 7pm
Die Walküre
8 November 2021, 5pm
Siegfried
10 November 2021, 5pm
Götterdämmerung
12 November 2021, 4pm
CAST
WOTAN / WANDERER Daniel Sumegi
BRÜNNHILDE Lise Lindstrom
SIEGFRIED Stefan Vinke
ALBERICH Warwick Fyfe
MIME Andreas Conrad
SIEGMUND Rosario La Spina
SIEGLINDE Anna-Louise Cole
The Brisbane Ring – Cycle 1 (POSTPONED)
The Ring Cycle
OPERA AUSTRALIA
Das Rheingold
29 October 2021, 7pm
Die Walküre
31 October 2021, 1pm
Siegfried
2 November 2021, 5pm
Götterdämmerung
4 November 2021, 4pm
CAST
WOTAN / WANDERER Daniel Sumegi
BRÜNNHILDE Lise Lindstrom
SIEGFRIED Stefan Vinke
ALBERICH Warwick Fyfe
MIME Andreas Conrad
SIEGMUND Rosario La Spina
SIEGLINDE Anna-Louise Cole
Richard Wagner’s Birthday Lunch 2021
Please join us once again to celebrate our favourite composer’s birthday
over a 2-course lunch, with music and great company!
with guest artists Lee Abrahmsen & Sarah Sweeting
accompanied by Coady Green
Cost: $100 members, $110 friends, $75 students
Venue: Rylands of Hawthorn, Beswick Dining Room, 349 Riversdale Rd, Hawthorn East, Victoria, 3123
Public Transport: Tram 70 & 75 (Stop 38) / Tram 72 (Stop 61) then 5-minute walk.
Parking: Either side of Riversdale Road, or in adjacent side streets.
Special Dietary Requirements: Email president@wagnermelb.org.au
Bookings: online (PayPal or Credit Card) or post payment by Friday 14 May.
Book early to avoid disappointment as we have a maximum capacity of 54 attendees.
France’s Wagner from the 1840s to World War I by Dr Rachel Orzech
MEMBERS ONLY EVENT
Dr Rachel Orzech is presenting the second part of her Wagner in France talks for the Society (the first, The Fusion (or Confusion) of Art & Patrie: French Responses to the Bayreuth Festival 1933 to 1943 was in 2018).
Rachel, a lecturer at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, is an excellent presenter and is an international authority on this topic.
Presentation: France’s Wagner from 1840s to World War 1
Presenter: Dr Rachel Orzech
Date:Sunday 13 September 2020
Time: 2.00pm – 3.30pm by Zoom
Free for Members, booking required.
Stuart Skelton: Live from Iceland Panel Discussion
Members Only Function
Stuart Skelton: Live from Iceland Panel Discussion
Date: Sunday 26 July 2020
Time: 6.30 pm (Melbourne time)
By Zoom
Please email acceptance to president@wagnermelb.org.au by 21 July
Yvonne Minton: Wagner Roles by Margot Costanzo
Presented by Margot Costanzo, Radio Announcer, 3MBS Fine Music Melbourne.
Mezzo soprano Yvonne Minton, CBE was born in Sydney and educated at the Sydney Conservatorium. After winning the Shell Aria in 1960, she went to England, where she has since been based. In 1961, she won the Kathleen Ferrier prize for best contralto. Four years later, she had her first of many Decca recordings, as Clotilde in Bellini’s Norma.
A long term resident singer at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, she also sang to much acclaim at Bayreuth, the Salzburg Festival and the Metropolitan Opera; a highlight of her many concerts was with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Sir George Solti.
While Yvonne Minton is much better known internationally than in Australia, Margot Costanzo decided to prepare a program for 3MBS to celebrate her 80th birthday in December 2018. Yvonne Minton’s story is one of a quiet achiever and talented opera singer - an Australian voice that deserves to be highlighted.
When: Monday 24th February 2020 - 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Where: Flockart Hall, MLC, 207 Barkers Road, Kew, VIC 3101
Cost: $35 members, $20 students, $40 guests and friends
Richard Wagner Anniversary Lunch
Join The Richard Wagner Society of Victoria and director Suzanne Chaundy in celebrating the life of Richard Wagner.
When: Sunday 18th May 2019, 12pm - 3:30pm
Where: Rylands of Hawthorn, 349 Riversdale Road, Hawthorn, VIC, 3123
Cost: $85.00 for members, $90.00 for friends, $75.00 for students