The Ring of the Nibelung: The Valkyrie (2016)
The new Bayreuth production of the Ring Cycle that premiered in 2013 offered spectacular sets, courtesy of Aleksandar Denić. As is regularly the case in Frank Castorf's productions, live video recordings add an extra dimension and in this performance Die Walküre is set at the beginning in the 19th century and then moves ahead to the Stalin era. The geographic setting is Baku, Azerbaijan, so in addition to Wild West capitalism, Castorf also takes aim at Soviet communism. The leading roles are also strongly cast in this third revival of Castorf's production, with Christopher Ventris, Heidi Melton, Catherine Foster and John Lundgren.
Director: Frank Castorf
![]() |
Christopher Ventris as Siegmund |
![]() |
Georg Zeppenfeld as Hunding |
![]() |
John Lundgren as Wotan |
![]() |
Heidi Melton as Sieglinde |
![]() |
Catherine Foster as Brünnhilde |
![]() |
Sarah Connolly as Fricka |
![]() |
Caroline Wenborne as Gerhilde |
![]() |
Dara Hobbs as Ortlinde |
![]() |
Stephanie Houtzeel as Waltraute |
![]() |
Nadine Weissmann as Schweltleite |
![]() |
Christiane Kohl as Helmwige |
![]() |
Wiebke Lehmkuhl as Grimgerde |
![]() |
Mareike Morr as Siegrune |
![]() |
Alexandra Petersamer as Rossweiße |
![]() |
Marek Janowski as Self - Conductor |
| Directing | Frank Castorf | Director |
| Writing | Richard Wagner | Writer |
| Art | Aleksandar Denić | Set Designer |
| Directing | Frank Castorf | Stage Director |
| Sound | Richard Wagner | Original Music Composer |
| Sound | Marek Janowski | Conductor |
| Costume & Make-Up | Adriana Braga Peretzki | Costume Design |