Melbourne Ring Cycle to Open at the Arts Centre Melbourne Today

The curtain goes up on The Melbourne Ring Cycle today, Monday 18 November, when stars of Australian and international stages come together at Arts Centre Melbourne for the biggest opera event ever seen in Australia. Audiences from across the globe and interstate are now arriving for Ring Cycle experiences destined to form memories of a lifetime.

Artistic Director Lyndon Terracini has led the project over three years to deliver what will be the Company's most ambitious production to date. Under the direction of director Neil Armfield and conductor Pietari Inkinen, a massive cast will bring to life the magnificent four-opera event, in the year of its 200th anniversary. The Melbourne Ring forms part of an international series of Ring Cycle productions, and is the only entirely new production.

Lyndon Terracini, Artistic Director of Opera Australia says "This new production of the Ring Cycle has been a mammoth undertaking, spanning over three years. Over 500 people at Opera Australia, are involved in making this happen. There are 405 performers including 94 singers, 34 actors and dancers, 127 orchestral players and 150 extras. And approximately 150 creatives, stage management, staff and crew are involved behind the scenes. From Monday, The Melbourne Ring will transform the State Theatre of Arts Centre, Melbourne - with the newly expanded orchestra pit which will be experienced for the first time with the Ring Cycle - into a world of scheming gods, mortals and monsters.

Craig Hassall, Chief Executive of Opera Australia says "This enormous project would not have been possible without the generous support of philanthropist Maureen and Tony Wheeler, and the State Government of Victoria through Victorian Major Events Corporation. Their generosity, and their shared vision of bringing the world to Melbourne for the Ring Cycle, has enabled this magnificent opera to come to the unique stage here at Arts Centre Melbourne, our venue partner. It's a significant moment in time for Opera Australia, and a wonderful time to be in Melbourne."

Heidi Victoria MP, Minister for the Arts says "The Ring Cycle is, without question, a cultural undertaking of the highest order. Around the world, cities recognise the tremendous cultural and tourism appeal of staging a Ring Cycle, but not many have the drive, the infrastructure and talent pool, to do it - and do it superbly. The Victorian Government's strong commitment to Victoria's cultural sector, our appetite for the arts, and our outstanding track record in major events makes Melbourne the ideal location for this spectacular cultural event.

International singers including Terje Stensvold (Norway), Susan Bullock (UK), Richard Berkeley-Steele (UK) and Stefan Vinke (Germany) join the stellar Australian cast including Stuart Skelton, Daniel Sumegi, Miriam Gordon-Stewart, Jacqueline Dark, Jud Arthur, Graeme Macfarlane and Warwick Fyfe.

Spectacular set and stage craft by Robert Cousins, costumes by Alice Babidge, lighting by Damien Cooper and choreography by Kate Champion form integral parts of Neil Armfield's contemporary vision for Wagner's epic masterpiece. Striving to bring out the accessible, human themes of the complex opera work, Armfield's approach brings The Ring Cycle into the 21st century, drawing out the relatable themes of love, loss, struggles for power and self determination. Around them, fire burns, rhinemaidens seduce, dwarves and gods change shape and the yearning for the ring drives the world to destruction. Ablaze with Wagner's magnificent music, the world of the Ring Cycle is a world of desire that stills rings true today.

HOT TICKETS! A very limited number of "rush" (returned) tickets for individual Ring Cycle operas will be sold from 9am from the first day of each Cycle (Cycle 1: Mon 18 Nov / Cycle 2: Wed 27 Nov / Cycle 3: Fri 6 Dec). These will sell quickly and will only be available until sold out.
Bookings: phone (03) 9285 3700 or online: www.melbourneringcycle.com.au

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