For the past two seasons, this Wagnerian event has been taking place in Dresden with an incredible project led in collaboration by Jan Vogler and Kent Nagano. The two artists, supported by the Dresdner Festspielorchester in collaboration with Concerto Köln, have decided to revive the famous cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen in a historically informed interpretation.

The in-depth musicological research, notably conducted by PD Dr. Kai Hinrich Müller, has allowed for the rediscovery of period instruments, such as those specially commissioned by Wagner himself. The result is simply breathtaking! After Das Rheingold in 2022 and Die Walküre in 2023, Siegfried is now scheduled as part of the Dresdner Musikfestspiele this summer (specifically on June 14, 2025).

The fortunate audiences in Prague, Paris, and Cologne, ahead of those in Lucerne, will have the privilege of attending the performances first. Kent Nagano will return to the magnificent Státní opera in Prague for the first performance of Siegfried on April 1, 2025.

Then, it’s Paris’ turn, on April 4, 2025, to host the project for the first time, hoping that Götterdämmerung will be featured in 2026. Wagner’s masterpiece will then be performed on April 10, 2025, at the Köln Philharmonie before Dresden and finally Lucerne, which will host the event on September 12, 2025, as part of its prestigious Festival.

As an interesting note, Parisians will have the chance to see Derek Welton in the role of the Der Wanderer, having discovered him by chance in Das Rheingold when he stepped in at the last minute to replace the artist originally cast as Wotan. This promises to be a remarkable evening, an unprecedented Wagner performance rejuvenated!

 

To see Siegfried at the Philharmonie of Paris, click there!

Kent Nagano – c – Daniel Reinhardt