Richard Wagner THE RING at the Met Original Live in HD transmission: October 9, 2010 Ring cycle encore: May 9, 2012

CONDUCTOR James Levine Two unparalleled artists join forces to create a groundbreaking new Ring for PRODUCTION the Met: Maestro James Levine and director . “The Ring is not Robert Lepage SET DESIGNER just a story or a series of , it’s a cosmos,” says Lepage, who brings Carl Fillion cutting-edge technology and his own visionary imagination to the world’s COSTUME DESIGNER François St-Aubin greatest theatrical journey. Bryn Terfel, singing his first Met Wotan, leads LIGHTING DESIGNER Etienne Boucher the cast in Das Rheingold, the Ring’s first installment. VIDEO IMAGE ARTIST Boris Firquet FREIA Wendy Bryn Harmer In the depths of the Rhine, the three guard the FRICKA Rhinegold, a treasure of immeasurable value. The Nibelung Stephanie Blythe ERDA is dazzled by the sight of it. The girls explain that whoever Patricia Bardon wins the gold and forges it into a ring will gain power over the world, LOGE Richard Croft MIME Gerhard Siegel but must first renounce love. Frustrated by his unsuccessful attempts WOTAN Bryn Terfel to catch one of the girls, Alberich curses love and steals the gold. ALBERICH Eric Owens FASOLT Wotan, lord of the gods, is reproached by his wife Fricka: he has Franz-Josef Selig promised to give Freia, goddess of youth, to the giants Fasolt and Fafner Hans-Peter Konig Fafner in return for their building a fortress for the gods. When the giants demand their reward, Loge, the god of fire, suggests an COMING SOON! alternative payment: the ring Alberich has forged from the Rhinegold, La Traviata Encore May 26 and his other treasures. The giants agree, and Wotan and Loge leave RING AT THE MET for the Nibelungs’ underground home. Die Walküre May 12 Here they meet Alberich’s brother Mime, who has forged the Tarnhelm, - May 17 a magic that transforms its wearer into any shape. Mime tells GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG MAY 19 Wotan and Loge how Alberich has enslaved the Nibelungs to work for Academy Award® winner him. Alberich appears and mocks the gods. Loge asks for a Christopher Plummer in Barrymore demonstration of the Tarnhelm and Alberich turns himself into a Limited engagement begins May 23 dragon, then into a toad, which the gods capture. Dragged to the National Theatre Live Frankenstein surface, the dwarf is forced to summon the Nibelungs to heap up the Four shows only: June 14, 16, 21, 23 gold. Wotan wrests the ring from his finger. Shattered, Alberich curses Tickets are now on sale the ring: ceaseless worry and death shall be the destiny of its bearer. Visit www.metopera.org/ HDLive or call your local The giants return and agree to accept the gold. The gods have to give theatre for more information and a complete schedule. up even the Tarnhelm, but Wotan refuses to part with the ring. Erda, The Met: Live in HD series is made goddess of the earth, appears and warns him that possession of it will possible by a generous grant from The Neubauer Family Foundation. bring about the end of the gods. Wotan reluctantly gives the ring to Production a gift of Ann Ziff and the Ziff family, in memory of William Ziff. the giants, and Alberich’s curse claims its first victim as Fafner kills In collaboration with Ex Machina. his brother in a dispute over the treasure. As the voices of the Rhinemaidens are heard, lamenting the loss of their gold, the gods Bloomberg is the global corporate sponsor of walk toward their new home, which Wotan names Valhalla. The Met: Live in HD. In association with PBS, the HD HELP THE MET CONTINUE TO BRING broadcasts are supported by Toll Go to www.cineplex.com/events for more LIVE IN HD TO A THEATRE NEAR YOU! Brothers, America’s luxury home information about the exciting season of Visit metopera.org to contribute or send your builder.® and other upcoming events. gift to: The , Lincoln Center, New York, NY, 10023