Week Two: Experience Wagner's Ring cycle and more with free Lyric Commentaries and Met Opera Live Streams

For a second week, our friends at The Metropolitan Opera are once again streaming some opera favorites. This week of programming is entirely devoted to the works of Richard Wagner, and yes, that means you will be able to enjoy the rapturous music of The Ring Cycle from the comfort and safety of home. Talk about the ultimate binge-watch! 

These productions are all different from versions that have graced the Lyric stage, but many voices and faces will be familiar. Notably, you can relive the artistry of the late Johan Botha, who starred in Lyric's Der Meistersinger, Tannhäuser, and many more. Nina Stemme who was Lyric’s Elektra in 2019 shines in the Met production of Tristan und Isolde. You’ll encounter many other favorites including Eric Owens, Sir Bryn Terfel, Deborah Voigt, and Stephanie Blythe. 

While what you see on screen might be different than what’s on stage at Lyric, the music and the history remain the same. 

Enjoy the commentaries, and enjoy the operas! View more Lyric commentaries that enhance the Met's Nightly Streams. 

We once again invite you to prepare for these broadcasts by listening to the Lyric Opera Commentaries before settling in for your viewing. They’re fun and each one is around a half hour (Note: the Commentary for Tristan und Isolde is an hour). Acquaint yourself with the synopsis, the music and some historical goodies about how each piece was created. It’s like a pre-opera talk in the comfort of your home!

Monday, March 23 – Tristan und Isolde

The Met Opera production from October 8, 2016, stars Nina Stemme, Ekaterina Gubanova, Stuart Skelton, Evgeny Nikitin, and René Pape and is conducted by Sir Simon Rattle.

The Lyric Commentary is from the 2008|09 season and was read by Sir Andrew Davis with written assistance by Nicholas Ivor Martin. 

Thursday, March 26 – Der Ring des Nibelungen: Siegfried

The third installment of the Ring cycle stars Deborah Voigt, Jay Hunter Morris, Gerhard Siegel, Bryn Terfel, and Eric Owens. It was conducted by Fabio Luisi on November 5, 2011.

The Lyric Commentary is from the 2019|20 season and was written and read by Colin Ure.

Friday, March 27 – Der Ring des Nibelungen: Götterdämmerung

Starring Deborah Voigt, Wendy Bryn Harmer, Waltraud Meier, Jay Hunter Morris, Iain Paterson, Eric Owens, and Hans-Peter König, the conclusion to the Ring was performed on February 11, 2012 and is conducted by Fabio Luisi.

The Lyric Commentary is from the 2019|20 season and was written and read by Colin Ure.