A night at the opera: Wagner's golden saga

In the opera world, Richard Wagner's epic four-opera cycle The Ring of the Nibelung is considered a monumental cultural event.

The National Centre for the Performing Arts will embark on this grand journey, starting with the monumental prologue, The Rhine Gold.

Under the baton of the national center's music director and conductor Lyu Jia, with the creative direction of the internationally renowned artist Stefano Poda from Italy, China NCPA Orchestra and NCPA Resident Singers, along with opera stars from around the globe, will present a version of The Rhine Gold, which will be staged at the national center from Aug 29 to Sept 3.

The Ring of the Nibelung (known simply as the Ring cycle) embodies Wagner's creative essence, developed over 26 years. Based on ancient Norse mythology, it encapsulates a rich tapestry of social, philosophical and aesthetic perspectives on music and drama, offering timeless topics for discussion and reflection.

Featuring four interconnected operas: the prologue The Rhine Gold, The Valkyrie, Siegfried, and The Twilight of the Gods, this opera series is considered an epic masterpiece due to its complex musical demands, vast array of characters, and the rich mythological elements required for staging.

"It is often regarded as a test for evaluating a theater's operatic production capabilities," says Zhang Yao, deputy director of the national center, during a media event at the art institution in Beijing on Wednesday.