Finnish Nationwide Opera’s intense Götterdämmerung completes its Ring – Seen and Heard Worldwide

Finland Wagner, Götterdämmerung: Soloists, Finnish Nationwide Opera Refrain and Orchestra / Hannu Lintu (conductor). Finnish Nationwide Opera, Helsinki, 25.5.2024. (AA)

Manufacturing:
Director – Anna Kelo
Units, Lighting, Movies – Mikki Kunttu
Costumes – Erika Turunen
Refrain director – Marge Mehilane
Assistant Refrain director – Tatu Erkkilä

Forged:
Siegfried – Daniel Brenna
Brünnhilde – Johanna Rusanen
Gunther – Tuomas Pursio
Gutrune – Reetta Haavisto
Hagen – Rúni Brattaberg
Waltraute – Tuija Knihtilä
First Norn – Maiju Vaahtoluoto
Second Norn – Jenny Carlstedt
Third Norn – Sonja Herranen
Woglinde – Marjukka Tepponen
Wellgunde – Mari Palo
Flosshilde – Jeni Packalen

The Finnish Nationwide Opera’s Götterdämmerung is an intense exploration into the internal world of gods and people. After a five-and-a-half-hour tour, one wonders: is it already over?

FNO’s manufacturing of the Ring skilled a number of challenges as performances have been prevented by Covid-19 and ultimately key members of the group had to get replaced. Each the director and conductor have been changed. That is lucky as Anna Kelo’s route is a timeless interpretation of everlasting questions which pose many questions. The battle for the Nibelung’s ring is fierce, and, in the long run, people is probably not that totally different from the gods.

Chief conductor Hannu Lintu has carried out all three huge sequels since Rheingold between 2022 and 2024. Lintu’s understanding of Wagner’s music is deep and profound. Beneath his route, the orchestra’s sound is wealthy and velvety, and the main points of the music are considerate and intense. The brass part stands out as mesmerizing and well-balanced.

Proper in the beginning, the ambiance is enchanting: the daughters of earth-mother Erda, the Norns, rise as pointed figures from the blue twilight to the highest of sharp mountains. Because the Norns (Maiju Vaahtoluoto, Jenny Carlstedt, Sonja Herranen) weave their webs, their music is melodious and mournful. The scene is magical, despite the fact that the outlook is bleak. The thread of destiny breaks aside and the longer term can now not be predicted.

Within the first act, Kelo presents Siegfried and Brünnhilde’s joyful life collectively. The stage is bathed in sunshine because the couple enthusiastically water their plantations. Johanna Rusanen (Brünnhilde) dazzles together with her luminous presence and luxurious dramatic voice. It has been a real pleasure to observe Rusanen’s shine within the earlier components of this manufacturing – and the triumph continues in Götterdämmerung. She is undisputedly one of many stars of FNO’s Ring.

Daniel Brenna continues his sturdy efficiency as Siegfried. Director Anna Kelo has made the character of Siegfried childlike and harmless. Brenna unsuspectingly makes contact along with his fellow Gamers – pals and foes alike – expressing affection, by laughing and hugging. Watching him in motion, one can solely conclude that this can not finish nicely.

Mikki Kunttu is answerable for the stage design and lighting, which adjustments moods and lighting masterfully. The saga is supported by simplistic costumes by Erika Turunen.

Because the story evolves, the Corridor of the Gibichungs is the place the plots are woven, filled with greed and crafty. Rúni Brattaberg’s Hagen is a malicious rogue for whom Siegfried is straightforward prey. There’s a energy sport afoot, and there are not any winners. Tuomas Pursio as Gunther sings convincingly along with his darkish bass-baritone. The veteran Jukka Rasilainen offers a superb interpretation of Hagen’s father Alberich. I additionally loved sturdy performances from Reetta Haavisto as Gutrune and Tuija Knihtilä as Waltraute and the refrain are glorious because the Vassals.

The ultimate act of the opera is breathtakingly lovely, each when it comes to the music and the occasions. The stage is dominated by a well-known factor, Feuerzauber, with a large pink burning ring. After a heart-breaking farewell, the ring opens into two components and Rusanen’s Brünnhilde strides into the ocean of fireside to affix Siegfried. The earth swallows them. On the very finish, the Rhinemaidens (Marjukka Tepponen, Mari Palo, Jeni Packalen) emerge from the depths of the water. They handle to lure Hagen into the river to catch the ring. When all is over, figures of Wotan and Fricka rise, they usually, too, are swallowed by the earth. All that continues to be is whiteness and readability.

A whole Ring cycle is tentatively scheduled for 2025.

Anna Aalto