Two additional performances of our new production of Die Walküre (12 July, conducted by Harry Sever; 14 July conducted by Anthony Negus) will open for booking in early 2024, alongside Puccini’s La bohème.
Priority booking for Die Walküre will be open to Wagner members who have not used their allocation on the Ring cycle. Priority booking for La bohème will be open to all members. See booking dates at lfo.org.uk/tickets
Das Rheingold sets Longborough's new Ring on its journey from the depths of the Rhine. The dwarf chieftain Alberich's eye is caught by the glint of gold, capable of creating a ring that will give its owner great power...
Longborough's Music Director and "veteran Wagnerian" (Sunday Times) Anthony Negus joins director Amy Lane to commence Der Ring des Nibelungen, Wagner's epic tale of gods, giants and heroes, and their struggles for power.
Please note that Das Rheingold will be performed without an interval. Dining will take place after the performance, from 5.40pm.
Don't miss Between the Ring, our standalone series of exciting events designed to fit around the three cycles. These include talks with John Deathridge, Dr Genevieve Arkle and Sir David Pountney; masterclasses and performances with Sir John Tomlinson, Rachel Nicholls and Susan Bullock CBE; and Simon Callow with his incredible one-man show "Inside Wagner's Head".
You don’t need a ticket to the Ring to book for these events.
Coming by train?
Hop aboard the Hedgehog!
In partnership with brilliant local bus service the Hedgehog, we’re now offering a shuttle service from Moreton-in-Marsh station to our theatre.
The service will depart from Moreton-in-Marsh 90 minutes before the performance start time, to arrive at Longborough shortly after the grounds open. It will return to Moreton following the performance end time.
Der Ring des Nibelungen (known as the Ring cycle) is a story of gods, giants and heroes, and their struggles for power. Wagner’s cycle is the most epic of tales, a monumental work of art with a score that is searing, desperate and sublime.
Watching a whole Ring cycle takes place across a week. The 2024 Ring will be presented in three cycles:
Cycle I: 16 – 22 June 2024
Das Rheingold 16 June
Die Walküre 18 June
Siegfried 20 June
Götterdämmerung 22 June
Cycle II: 25 June – 30 June 2024
Das Rheingold 25 June
Die Walküre 26 June
Siegfried 28 June
Götterdämmerung 30 June
Cycle III: 4 – 9 July 2024
Das Rheingold 4 July
Die Walküre 5 July
Siegfried 7 July
Götterdämmerung 9 July
JUDGING BY THIS OPENING RHEINGOLD, IT IS CERTAINLY GOING TO BE A RING TO TRAVEL MILES TO HEAR
Opera Now ★★★★★
LONGBOROUGH BEGINS NEW RING WITH ASSURANCE AND CLARITY
The Guardian ★★★★☆
BOTH EPIC AND INTIMATE, A FANTASTIC JOURNEY THAT FELT ENTHRALLINGLY NATURAL
Opera magazine
a musical miracle
Daily Mail ★★★★☆
The three Rhinemaidens play in the water as Alberich, lord of the Nibelungs, watches on. His eye is caught by the glint of the gold that they guard, and he learns from the Rhinemaidens that it could be used to create a Ring of great power – but only if its owner renounces love. With his amorous advances rejected by the Rhinemaidens, Alberich makes this promise and seizes the gold.
Across the Rhine, the gods celebrate the creation of Valhalla, their fortress newly built by the giants Fafner and Fasolt. Wotan, ruler of the gods, is reminded of the payment he owes: the giants demand ownership of the goddess Freia in return. Loge tells them of an alternative: the gold that Alberich has stolen from the Rhine. The giants accept this arrangement, but hold Freia hostage as collateral. The gods begin to wither as she is led away. In the underworld of the Nibelungs, Alberich forces his brother Mime to hand over a magic helmet that can gift the wearer the ability to change shape. Wotan and Loge arrive, and Alberich threatens them with the Ring’s power. Alberich is tricked into changing into a toad, and is caught by Wotan.
Back up from Nibelheim, Wotan tears the Ring from Alberich’s finger who retaliates by cursing all who shall wear it.
Later, the giants return as their ransom is due. Unsatisfied with treasures and gold, they now insist on the Ring. Wotan is about to refuse, but the earth goddess Erda appears and convinces him to relinquish it, or to risk destruction. Freia is freed, but the giants fall victim to the Ring’s curse as they argue and Fasolt is killed in the struggle. Fafner leaves with the Ring.
As Wotan worries about the Ring’s curse, Donner swings his hammer summoning a storm. A bridge to Valhalla is created, and the gods make the crossing. The Rhinemaidens beg Wotan to return the Ring to them, and Loge, also fearing the curse, predicts disaster.
| Jun | Sold out | |||
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| Sold out | ||||
| Jul | Sold out |
