Created: May 8, 2012 Last Updated: May 9, 2012
A still from ?Wagner?s Dream,? a documentary of the Metropolitan Opera's production of Richard Wagner's four-part ?Ring? cycle. (Ken Howard/ Tribeca Film Festival)
\>");It is the epic tale of a powerful ring that brings misfortune to all who seek it. Sound familiar? After technology advanced to the point where Peter Jackson could finally do justice to Tolkien?s ?Lord of the Rings,? it is not surprising that the opera world might hatch some new ideas for Wagner?s ?Ring? cycle.
Mounting a production on stage, however, is a totally different proposition than making a film with extensive post-production effects, as renowned director Robert Lepage demonstrates with the Metropolitan Opera?s ambitious new production of the ?Ring.?
Director Susan Froemke (with editor Bob Eisenhardt) captures the ensuing flirting-with-disaster exhilaration of live opera in ?Wagner?s Dream,? which had its world premiere at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival, in advance of a special-event nationwide screening on Tuesday, May 8.
Reportedly, Wagner was not at all satisfied with the initial 1876 staging of his ?Ring? cycle, but he died before he could implement any of the mysterious changes he promised. As a result, the questions of what would Wagner do and what is feasible have bedeviled opera companies ever since. Charged with developing something bold, Lepage did just that.
His radical concept centers on what will be referred to as ?the Machine.? A series of interlocked, swiveling planks, sort of but not really resembling a double helix, the Machine will serve as the minimalist set for all four constituent productions of the ?Ring? cycle. When it works, it facilitates some truly epic grandeur. Unfortunately, it is decidedly buggy.
Wagner?s Dream
Director: Susan Froemke
Cast: Robert Lepage, Deborah Voigt, Jay Hunter Morris, Peter Gelb
Running Time: 115 minutes
Frankly, it is quite cool and surprising that the Met is so enthusiastically behind ?Dream,? because it documents some embarrassing moments for the storied company. Complications with the Machine put a damper on more than one opening night, which is awkward for the professionals bluffing their way through on-stage performances, but makes for dramatic documentary cinema.
Arguably, Lepage?s ?Ring? cycle production might be thought of as the Met?s ?Apocalypse Now,? with ?Wagner?s Dream? corresponding to ?Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker?s Apocalypse.? Like screenwriter John Milius sent to retrieve Francis Ford Coppola from the jungle only to be convinced ?this would be the first film to win the Nobel Prize,? every cast member and tech hand approaching Lepage or Met General Manager Peter Gelb with logistical concerns winds up doubling down on the Machine. Again, just like Coppola?s film, the result is a sometimes flawed but towering work of genius.
?Dream? is one of the few behind-the-scenes documentaries completely warranting the big-screen treatment. A sense of scale is important here. Yet it does not ignore the human element, following the challenges faced by the featured performers and sampling the reactions of loyal patrons.
Having helmed two previous documentaries about the Met, including the profile of Maestro James Levine that was relatively recently broadcast on ?American Masters,? Froemke clearly had the trust and confidence of the opera company. By now, many probably assume she is on staff there.
Even for opera neophytes, ?Wagner?s Dream? is a fascinating film. It is also a highly effective teaser for its special encore screenings of Lepage?s ?Ring? cycle productions. One cannot help wondering whether audiences will see the Machine cooperate or not.
Highly recommended beyond the obvious opera and theater audiences, ?Wagner?s Dream? will be shown at the BAM Rose Cinemas on Saturday (May 12).Joe Bendel writes about independent film and lives in New York. To read his most recent articles, please visit http://jbspins.blogspot.com
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