Wagner's Ring Cycle Triumphs in Paris Lockdown Concert

Despite pandemic restrictions, Philippe Jordan led a concert version of Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen at the Opéra national de Paris in November 2020. The production faced numerous setbacks: a staged version was cancelled, rehearsals were suspended after Jordan was identified as a contact case, and tenors Jonas Kaufmann and Eva-Maria Westbroek withdrew. The final performance of Götterdämmerung on November 28, 2020, coincided with violent protests against the Sécurité Globale law outside the Bastille. Jordan conducted the orchestra of the Opéra national de Paris for an audience of only radio microphones and a few professionals. The performance featured Andreas Schager as Siegfried, Ain Anger as Hagen, and Anna Gabler as a Norn. Jordan, emotional at the end, bid farewell to his orchestra. The full cycle was broadcast on France Musique from December 26, 2020 to January 2, 2021.