en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/644417 Comments by Traveling http://www.komonews.com/news/entertainment/53415927.html#IDComment32497003 After nearly five decades of travelling to numerous opera houses all over the world I finally made it to the “Seattle Ring” and attended the first cycle in 2009. The staging and directing is not really worth mentioning. The cast is mainly unimpressive, although the NW audience heavily applauds their local “celebrities”; on top of their list an average and superficial interpretation of Wotan by Grimsley. Wray’s is screechy, short on top (if she makes the high notes at all!) The best performances come from the “guests”: Andersens Siegfried (a warm lyric tenor, very well acted), Skeltons Siegmund (one of those now popular more lyrical tenors approaching the role) and Bairds Brunnhilde (simply the best wagnerian soprano in at least two decades). The major annoyance comes from the pit. An in itself unbalanced orchestra works its way insensitivity through the score (especially harsh were the woodwinds and brass) not paying attention to the stage, led by a conductor who doesn’t seem to care. This “green” ring in Seattle is provincial and altogether a huge disappointment. Sat, 29 Aug 2009 20:49:43 +0000 http://www.komonews.com/news/entertainment/53415927.html#IDComment32497003