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State Theater, Lincoln Center, NYC

I spent the better part of my evenings last week at Lincoln Center (albeit at the Metropolitan Opera House, not the State Theater). The Met was mounting the Otto Schenk production of Wagner's Ring cycle for the last time, and I had tickets to the last week of the run.

The production was glorious, taking its cues from Wagner's original notes. While it had been criticized for lacking any major themes or subtexts, the romantic staging grounded the characters and provided a beautiful backdrop for the music. The orchestra played with great energy and enthusiasm, and the audience responded accordingly. The singers braved the stage and gave it their all; unfortunately an under-the-weather Placido Domingo had to cede the stage in the first act of Die Walkure to Gary Lehman, who managed the substitution with elan.

The nights kept getting progressively better, and I found a new love for the third opera in the series. The fourth was a bit of a let-down after the highs I experienced during Siegfried, but at the end of the night (and week) I was sorry the cycle was over. It was an amazing way to spend the week; an experience I won't soon forget. Even now, I'm listening to the Met opera's recording of Siegfried on my headphones . . .