Wagner's GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG

Hi all, 

The Corona Virus pandemic and subsequent lockdown period has affected us all, not just in Berlin, Germany, or Europe, but the entire world. 

Unfortunately the performing arts industry has been significantly impacted by the restrictions. In a city like Berlin, which is the only city in the world to support three state opera houses, for both performers and audiences alike, the lack of live opera performance has been sole destroying. 

Though the houses are tentatively opening their doors for an initial 4 month season, it is unlikely that we will be able to enjoy the grandeur of the large scale operatic works. 

Therefore I share with you here, a piano accompaniment to the final instalment of Richard Wagner's epic "Ring des Nibelungen" cycle: Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods). 

If you love the music, I hope you enjoy this performance. If you are a singer, I hope that it is of some use for you practicing along to the accompaniment. 

Please subscribe to the YouTube channel, and feel free to like and share the recordings. 

Hopefully we get back to the live performances sooner rather than later. 

MJT

Götterdämmerung. 1.Aufzug (First Act)

Götterdämmerung. 2.Aufzug (Second Act)

Götterdämmerung. 3.Aufzug (Third Act)

 

Berlin getaway series: #2.0 Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf

Quite by chance I find myself at present in the Rheinland in the West of Germany (about 4 to 5 hours West and slightly south of Berlin) in the capital of Nordrhein-Westfalen. It is in the heart of the Rhein-Ruhr-Gebiet, an area encompassing multiple cities such as Dortmund, Duisburg, Köln, Bonn, Essen, Bochum and more, with a combined population of 11 million. 

Care of www.reading-dusseldorf.org.uk

As the regional name indicates, it is situated on the River Rhein downstream from Köln und Bonn. And if Wagner's Rheinmaidens were looking for somewhere to spend their recovered Rheingold, I'm sure they would find all the necessary luxury shops here in Düsseldorf. 

Looking Upstream Rhein (c) MJT

Looking Downstream Rhein (c) MJT

Just for fun, here is the entire production of Wagner's Rheingold from 2007 in Bayreuth, in case you have a spare 2.5 hours.

While I wouldn't have expected to visit Düsseldorf specifically from Berlin, since arriving I have found it to be a very pleasant city - much calmer, friendly and civilized than Berlin - and very diverse in cultures and architecture. For example I quite like the newly opened Daniel Libeskind designed building at Jan-Wellen Platz. 

Libeskind Architecture (c) MJT

The Alt-Stadt (old city) which is build upon the bank of the Rhein is well worth exploring, as there are numerous culinary options (at some points a different nationality per shop), including Ethiopian, Spanish, Turkish, Italian, Japanese, Vietnamese, alongside various fish markets and bakeries. Plus a central market area and cafes/beer gardens stretching along the bank of the river. 

Along the riverbank (c) MJT

And so over the next few blogs I hope to explore the city further and share my experiences and recommendations for this Berlin getaway to the Rheinland.

M.