Die Walkure

Canadian Opera Company production of Die Walkure. Photo by Michael Cooper.

The Canadian Opera Company’s current production of Wagner’s Die Walkure is an absolute must see. Rich, engaging and thoroughly intoxicating, this piece is a treat for the senses from start to finish.

Act one opens with an exhausted Siegmund (Clifton Forbis), weak from battle, collapsing at the home of Sieglinde (Heidi Melton). Sieglinde takes pity on the injured man and offers him hospitality. As she tends to him, a strong bond begins to form. This relationship is only strengthened when her husband Hunding (Dimitry Ivashchenko) arrives home and Sigemund becomes witness to how poorly Sieglinde is treated. Siegmund is engulfed with the desire to free Sieglinde and make her his bride. Unfortunately for him, he has taken refuge in his enemy’s home and his recovery is cut short as he falls into yet another battle. Both Siegmund and Sieglinde carry the burden of a troubled past but it’s when we begin to understand just how connected they really are that the whole plot takes on a slightly disturbing aura.

Die Walkure is unique in that the character development and plot advancement take place at a dizzying pace. Ever changing and evolving, nothing is as it seems and every plot twist has a domino effect—a true example of operatic drama at its best. There are layers upon layers of connections between each character. Love, jealousy and hatred violently collide binding each character together in an intricate, often torturous, web.

Musically Die Walkure boasts an incredibly powerful score. The instantly recognizable "Ride of the Valkyries" opens act three, an amazing and intense piece to hear performed live. Also of note is the stunningly strong performance of American soprano Christine Goerke in the role of the bold and brave yet naive Brunnhilde.

Atom Egoyan’s post-apocalyptic interpretation works beautifully for Die Walkure which was originally set in the savage mythic realms of a Germanic kingdom. Egoyan manages to present a sharp, modern interpretation without dulling the savage edges of this piece. The apocalyptic theme is translated seamlessly through the costume and set design of Michael Lavine. Die Walkurie carries with it a great strength and because of its grandeur, the obvious choice to may be to reduce it to modern minimalism. Thankfully Egoyan’s production is presented exactly as it should be, with magnificent splendour.

Die Walkure runs until February 22, 2015 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Art. A reminder to those under 30, the Canadian Opera Company offers a great Opera under 30 program. Visit coc.ca for more informaiton and to buy tickets.