OVER the past four years Opera North has performed each of the individual operas in Wagner’s epic Ring cycle and will be presenting the complete cycle next year.

In this "gap year", it decided to tackle this earlier opera, one which foreshadows many of the themes and musical ideas of the Ring.

Like in previous productions, it was given in a partially staged performance with the large Orchestra of Opera North on an extended stage with an additional platform or walkway in front for the singers.

Helping to create the atmosphere there was a large screen above the orchestra shaped like a vast billowing sail, and two smaller platforms in the middle of the string section representing the ships’ bridges.

All the principals were in costume and within their limited space did all they could to act out this mythical and fantastic story.

The result was a complete success, a seamless performance (lasting nearly 2½ hours, incidentally, without a break) which blended outstanding contributions from everyone involved including singers, choir, orchestra, designers and stage crew.

The principal singers, familiar from the Ring performances, included Bela Perencz as the Dutchman, Mats Almgren as Daland and Alwyn Mellor as Senta as well as Mark Le Brocq, Ceri Williams and Mati Turi, all in stupendous form.

Peter Mumford’s design, staging and lighting was enormously helpful in clarifying the story and the orchestra and chorus quite magnificent, the whole thing tied together by Richard Farnes’ beautifully paced and articulate conducting.

Peter Bevan