Götterdämmerung

Gutrune in Götterdämmerung with the New York Opera Forum at the Plainfield Masonic Temple.

The conclusion of Wagner's Ring Cycle, the "Twilight of the Gods" has some of my favorite music, ever since I got to know it about a year ago when I sang one of the Rhinemaidens and Gutrune last year. Gutrune is used as a pawn by her brother, Gunther and half-brother, Hagen. She is surrounded by enormous forces she can't begin to understand (and perhaps doesn't even know exist). Gutrune acts as a foil to Brünnhilde - she gives Siegfried, Brünnhilde's husband, a magic love potion so that he'll fall in love with and marry her. This leaves Brünnhilde open so that Gunther can marry her and add to his reputation and clout, and gets Hagen closer to Siegfried's magic ring so that he can rule the world. (This is only one plot in this 15+ hour opera saga of four operas.)

I really enjoyed her music. Her motif is so lovely and innocent, and often occurs out of a lot of darkness and confusion right before you hear it in the orchestra:

Again, we were at the Plainfield Masonic Temple, also known as Jerusalem Lodge No. 26. It is a real delight to sing there. Built in 1929, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places this year, and has received several national trust grants to help rehabilitate the building and fund a preservation plan. I wish them the best in this and really respect that they are holding so many musical events there!