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There are few opera houses where you will hear Wagner’s intoxicating mix of power and ethereal beauty better played and sung than at the Staatsoper Under den Linden: this new Ring Cycle confirms the Staatskapelle Berlin’s pre-eminence as a Wagner orchestra. Dmitri Tcherniakov’s demythologised production raises many questions, but with its concentration on the psychological, human drama this is a Ring for the modern age. In addition to the four operas, our Berlin holiday includes visits to the city’s great galleries and museums, as well as a day in the splendid palaces at Potsdam.
Standing on the corner of Unter den Linden and Friedrichstrasse, the Westin Grand has one of Berlin’s most prestigious addresses. The Brandenburg Gate, the Reichstag, the State Opera House, the Museum Island and Potsdammer Platz are all just a short stroll away. The grand central lobby is dominated by a sweeping staircase leading to the 400 newly renovated rooms. The Relish restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, while breakfast is served overlooking Friedrichstrasse. In the basement you will find the ‘Gezer Spa’ and fitness centre, whilst on the second floor there is a pleasant garden with fountains and pavilions.
...when you travel with Kirker
Flights with British Airways:
Depart London Heathrow 11:15, arrive Berlin 14:10
Depart Berlin 14:10, arrive London Heathrow 15:15
Regional departures on request - please call for details
Standing on the corner of Unter den Linden and Friedrichstrasse, the Westin Grand has one of Berlin's most prestigious addresses.
Andrew Taylor graduated from the University of St Andrew's in 1989 with a degree in Church History. He has a further degree in Classical Studies and a Masters in the History of Art.
His main areas of study were the history and architecture of the English Country House and the arts and architecture of the Gothic Revival. In between, he has practised as a solicitor for twenty years and worked in the antiquarian book business. Andrew's tastes are broad but his particular interests are in landscape painting, church architecture and neo-classicism.
Staatsoper
This production of the Berlin Staatsoper Ring was first given there in the autumn of 2022 and these performances are being presented as part of the annual Berlin Festtage with most of the original cast repeating their roles. The Cycle was well received musically and, as is expected these days when a new Ring in unveiled, the production draws mixed reviews. Dimitri Tcherniakov, is no stranger to controversy. He has been awarded Russia’s leading award, the Golden Mask, four times. This production was no exception but the powerful combination of the orchestra playing and the singers eventually triumphed, making Berlin’s latest Ring one of the most successful cycles of recent seasons.
Das Rheingold (18 March)
Die Walküre (19 March)
Siegfried (21 March)
Götterdämmerung (24 March)
The stellar cast includes Tomasz Konieczny as Wotan and The Wanderer, Rolando Villazon as Loge, Claudia Mahnke as Fricka, Anna Kissjudit as Erda and Anja Kampe as Brunnhilde. Johannes Martin Kranzle is Alberich, Andreas Schager is Siegfried and Rene Pape is Hunding. The conductor will be the Swiss conductor, Philippe Jordan who is currently Chief Conductor at the Vienna State Opera and regularly conducts the world’s leading orchestras.
Optional Performance of The Queen of Spades by Tchaikovsky at the Deutsche Oper on 20 March
This new production of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is by British stage director Sam Brown.
Metropolitan Opera favourite Sondra Radvanovsky takes on the role of the ill-fated Lisa and Martin Muehle is Hermann, the man who leads to her ruin and her death. The Countess is sung by the legendary Hanna Schwarz, Lucio Gallo is Tomsky and Thomas Lehmann is Prince Yeletzki. Sebastian Weigle conducts.
Tickets in the Stalls for £80
Tour Leader
Andrew Taylor graduated from the University of St Andrew's in 1989 with a degree in Church History. He has a further degree in Classical Studies and a Masters in the History of Art.
His main areas of study were the history and architecture of the English Country House and the arts and architecture of the Gothic Revival. In between, he has practised as a solicitor for twenty years and worked in the antiquarian book business. Andrew's tastes are broad but his particular interests are in landscape painting, church architecture and neo-classicism.
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