The orchestra will bring in American (and aptly named) soprano Amber Wagner, New Zealand tenor Simon O'Neill and Icelandic bass Kristinn Sigmundsson for the performances Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. While performances of Wagner's works have been consistent, the glitzy new Metropolitan Opera production of the entire Ring Cycle over two years -- four operas that run for approximately fifteen hours total, which reportedly cost about $16 million, according to the New York Times -- has made him one of the most-discussed composers today.
The Colorado Symphony will be putting on a concert, not an opera, so don't expect over-the-top sets. But the program is a good primer on a composer who has greatly influenced the music that is produced today. Those clashing chords affectionately termed atonal? They have their roots in Wagner.
