SF Opera's Das Rheingold Cycle 2
June 22, 2011
* Notes *
The Ring at San Francisco Opera began anew with Das Rheingold (Štefan Margita and Mark Delavan in Scene 2 pictured left, photo by Cory Weaver) on Tuesday. Everyone sounded more comfortable and relaxed. There were fewer issues with moving the sets, though there were still audible thumps and bangs as things were put into place. The orchestra, under Maestro Runnicles, made fewer errors in playing, which was very lovely. Mark Delavan was stronger as Wotan this week, especially in the last scene. However, Štefan Margita (Loge) stole the show yet again, sounding smooth and brilliant.
* Tattling *
The prompter could not be heard this time around. There were many people on the Balcony Level for standing room. I observed the apparently requisite talking from latecomers as I read the score whilst sitting on the floor.