Wagner’s Die Walkure –
Sir Mark Elder / The Halle
The Madness of an Extraordinary Plan – Gerard McBurney / Neil Bartlett
Manchester International Festival presents a new collaboration with the Hallé and The Bridgewater Hall; Wagner’s Die Walküre supported by a specially commissioned dramatic prologue The Madness of An Extraordinary Plan: A Guide to Wagner’s Ring Cycle.
Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé return to Wagner’s Ring Cycle with a concert version of Die Walküre. This follows their 2009 presentation of Götterdämmerung, which ended with a 15 minute standing ovation and the recording of which is nominated for a 2010 Gramophone Award. This most enduring of operas will be performed at The Bridgewater Hall, which has arguably the UK’s finest orchestral acoustic.
MIF have commissioned Gerard McBurney to create a new dramatic prologue to Die Walküre. Sir Mark Elder leads the Hallé and three actors in a guide to Richard Wagner’s revolutionary reinvention of the musical language of opera, The Madness of an Extraordinary Plan. This will be an illluminating experience for Wagner afficionados and newcomers alike. Directed by Neil Bartlett, making a return to MIF.
“We are delighted to be working with Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé as they embark on the next part of their Ring Cycle at The Bridgewater Hall. The supporting prologue gives the Festival the opportunity to continue the project we began with The Pianist in 2007 and followed with JS Bach / Zaha Hadid Architects in 2009 – creating new contexts for great works of the past.” Alex Poots, Festival Director
Die Walküre will be performed over two evenings: The Madness of an Extraordinary Plan + Act 1 on Friday 15 July, with Act 2 + Act 3 following on Saturday 16 July.
Commissioned and produced by Manchester International Festival, the Hallé and The Bridgewater Hall.
Die Walküre / The Madness of an Extraordinary Plan
The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley Street, Manchester M2 3WS
The Madness of an Extraordinary Plan + Act 1 Fri 15 July 7.30pm (20 min interval)
Act 2 + Act 3 Sat 16 July 3.30pm (75 min interval)
Performed in German with English surtitles
Tickets £15 – £49 (no per ticket booking fee; transaction charge applies)
www.mif.co.uk / + 44 (0)161 876 2198
www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk / + 44 (0) 161 907 9000
