Mortals and myths

"With powerful technical support, this stage will achieve extraordinary things," Livermore adds. "Wagner creates a world that is entirely different from everyday life. We want to capture and present everything he left on the score and in the music for the audience."

Productions as grand and magnificent as The Valkyrie come with immense challenges in faithfully interpreting them. The performance schedule reflects the heavy physical demands on the performers, as there is a day of rest between every two shows.

Among the lead singers, many of whom have extensive experience performing Wagner's operas, Latvian-born bass-baritone Egils Silins stands out. He portrays Wotan, the king of the gods, a role he has performed many times, including last year's The Rhinegold at the NCPA. He has portrayed Wotan in 14 different productions of The Valkyrie.

"Performing as Wotan is every bass-baritone's dream. He is both a father and a god, filled with the brilliance of humanity," Silins says.

Fricka, Wotan's wife, will be portrayed by German mezzo-soprano Okka von der Damerau. "I love Wagner's works because they express the warmth and brilliance of humanity beneath grand narratives. I am very much looking forward to this production, as it will deepen the audience's understanding of Wagner's music," she says.