National Symphony Orchestra's conductor Chien Wen-Pin also works on a regular basis with the Germany's Dusselfdorf Opera, and he has taken the opportunity to import major soloists for this one-off event.
Germany's Bodo Brinkmann, who will sing Wotan, has some astonishing achievements to his credit. He has, for instance, sung this same role with the Bavarian State Opera under the great conductor Wolfgang Sawallish, as well as five other Wagner roles at Bayreuth, the theater Wagner designed himself and high temple of all Wagnerites.
Brunhilde will be the American soprano Susan Owen. In the last few years she has sung the part (and the even more taxing Wagner role of Isolde) all over Germany, and recorded it on CD. These, in other words, are two important international soloists, and Taipei is lucky to get the chance to hear them.
Chien told Taipei Times that fully-staged opera productions involve a great many more organizations than a simple concert does, and so are much more complex, and expensive, to mount. But the third act of Die Walkure was a relatively self-contained unit, he said. In addition, this concert of a mature Wagner score will be an excellent experience for the orchestra, and a chance to expand their expertise.
Chien said he is planning further operatic concerts in Taipei soon, probably featuring Puccini's Tosca and Verdi's Otello.
Ticket prices for next Friday's concert, in the National Concert Hall, are from NT$300 to NT$1,500. More information is available by calling (02) 2343-1364.
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