Anaemic 'Rhinegold' opens Tankred Dorst's 'Ring' in Bayreuth

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2008

BAYREUTH, Germany (AFP) — The hard wooden seats of Bayreuth's Festpielhaus have only the thinnest possible cushioning for a reason -- too much padding would ruin the hallowed hall's legendary acoustics. That's a scientific fact.

But the seats also have another more subjective use, namely as a barometer of the evening's performance.

If, after five hours and more, you still don't notice how hard the seat you're sitting on is, it's a fairly good indication you're enjoying yourself.

If, on the other hand, you start fidgeting after just half an hour, you can bet your bottom dollar that you're not and that you're in for a long and uncomfortable night.

"Rhinegold", the first instalment of Tankred Dorst's production of Richard Wagner's sprawling four-opera...