Opera Australia Kicks Off 2013 Melbourne Ring Festival Today

Opera Australia previously released the program for Melbourne Ring Festival, running from today, 15 November - 13 December 2013. The Festival, supported by the City of Melbourne, will bring Melbourne's central city to life with a range of accessible and entertaining events relating to Wagner's epic opera, theRing cycle, presented simultaneously at Arts Centre Melbourne.

A parade of operatic proportions, the 'Arrival of the Valkyries!' will entertain the public from 1pm on Saturday 16 Novemberwith costumed characters (some on horseback) and brass instruments, culminating in a fun and free concert in Federation Square to herald the start of The Melbourne Ring Cycle 2013 and Melbourne Ring Festival. Irreverent, cabaret-style performances will take place alongside serious intellectual debate with a Festival program designed to bring the Ring cycle to the largest possible audience.

Lyndon Terracini, Artistic Director of Opera Australia said"The Melbourne Ring Festival is designed to engage with a broad range of people from opera aficionados who are in town to experience Opera Australia's new production of the Ring cycle, through to those just looking to be entertained in a creative and accessible way.

"There are special events, film and multimedia programs, talks and conversations, art installations and exhibitions and of course, great performances. Wagner's Ring cycle has inspired artists for 200 years and this year is no different. Many festival performers have taken an element, a character or a theme from it, and turned it into something new. We are very happy to be working with many of Melbourne's own resident arts companies on this initiative and we are very grateful to the City of Melbourne for their support in making the Ring Festival a reality."

Robert Doyle, Lord Mayor, City of Melbourne said "The City of Melbourne is proud to partner with Opera Australia to bring Wagner's music into the streets, concert halls and galleries of our city. The Melbourne Ring Festival will showcase the talent and skill of Melbourne artists, enticing people into the city to celebrate Melbourne culture in all its forms."

Minister for Tourism and Major Events Louise Asher said the Victorian Government is pleased to be partnering with Opera Australia and patron Maureen Wheeler to bring the Ringcycle to Victoria.

"We are delighted that the City of Melbourne has joined the project to support the Ring Festival, which will ensure that Victorians and visitors alike can experience a taste of Wagner'sRing cycle this November in Melbourne. The Ring cycle is an epic opera and a major international event for the city, which is expected to generate more than $12 million in economic benefits for the state and supports Melbourne's international brand as a sophisticated and cosmopolitan cultural centre," Ms Asher said.

The Melbourne Ring Festival involves hundreds of artists, community choirs, musicians and thinkers in over 30 shows, films, events and exhibitions. The diverse program is predominantly free and low cost, making the festival very accessible. The program reflects the concept ofgesamtkunstwerk - a synthesis of art forms - that informed Wagner's thinking in creating the Ring cycle.

Click here for full media release and program highlights

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