Continuing their exploration of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle—in semi-staged presentation—the LA Philharmonic presents the second opera of the massive tetralogy, Die Walküre. Music Director Gustavo Dudamel and stage director Alberto Arvelo lead the production, which features a set designed by the late Frank Gehry. Envisioned as a three-part saga—with each act presented individually—this production boasts a cast of international opera superstars, including Ryan Speed Green as Wotan and Cristine Goerke as Brünnhilde.

I’m thrilled to be introducing the heart-rending final act. My presentation will zoom out to consider Act 3 in context of the dramatic themes of Die Walküre and the Ring operas as a whole, but will focus more closely on the relationship between father and daughter, with a close musical exploration of Wagner’s use of leitmotiv technique in Wotan’s final goodbye to Brünnhilde.