April 01, 2020
Behind the Scenes with the RING: A Story Told Through Photos
Lyric may not be presenting the Ring cycle this spring, but the preparations, rehearsals, and planning for this cycle deserve to be seen and appreciated. Take a look at our digital photo listicle below with exclusive behind-the-scenes photos that reveal the work, the craftsmanship, and the heart that went into creating Lyric’s new Ring.
Siegmund and Sieglinde would have enjoyed this magnificent view of the Ardis Krainik Theatre as the curtain came down on Act One of Die Walküre.
The Ken Pigott Stage in the Ardis Krainik Theatre went quiet on Friday, March 13, with the announcement of the Ring cancellation.
Conductor Sir Andrew Davis and director Sir David Pountney chatting at the edge of the Lyric orchestra pit during a rehearsal break. This was to be Sir Andrew’s second full Ring and Sir David’s first.
Tenor Brandon Jovanovich having his Siegmund makeup applied by Lyric makeup artist DeShawn Bowman. Jovanovich was set to play Siegmund in Die Walküre, as well as Froh, the god who creates the rainbow bridge to Valhalla, in Das Rheingold.
(l-r) Joshua Lee and David Corlew, among the actors portraying stagehands in Die Walküre, seen relaxing in their shared dressing room between scenes.
There were over 245 total costumes created for Lyric’s Ring, including these for principal singers and understudies.
The ruined tables from the aborted wedding feast in Götterdämmerung, seen outside the main rehearsal room backstage at Lyric.
The cast’s rehearsal costumes at the ready outside backstage Room 200 before a Götterdämmerung rehearsal in early March.
Wigs combining human hair and silver strands for members of the women’s chorus are among the more than 100 wigs created just for Lyric’s new production of Götterdämmerung by staff of Lyric’s wig and makeup department.
Costume designer Marie-Jeanne Lecca, director Sir David Pountney, and set designer Robert Innes Hopkins confer onstage during a Das Rheingold tech rehearsal, surrounded by technical department staff and stage managers.
Director Sir David Pountney during a Das Rheingold rehearsal.
Scenic elements of Lyric’s new production of Götterdämmerung in the scenery handling area backstage.
Choreographer Denni Sayers preparing actors and dancers for a scene in Siegfried.
One of the Valkyries' steeds from Die Walküre.
It’s not a Ring cycle without plenty of gold! Seen here in the scenery handling area, Freia’s golden apples from Das Rheingold, which keep the gods forever young.
It took 25 trailers to transport all four shows of the Ring to and from Lyric. Here, scenic elements representing Wotan and Fricka in Das Rheingold, in the jam-packed backstage scenery handing area.
From set models to stage, during technical rehearsals for Das Rheingold. Each of the Ring’s four operas took about 10 months to construct.
Director Sir David Pountney and choreographer Denni Sayers, seen through a set model during an early rehearsal for Siegfried.
Lyric’s 50+ stagehands worked tirelessly to build Valhalla, Nibelheim, and all the other realms represented in the Ring. A lot of nuts, bolts, screws, and other fasteners helped hold it all together.