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What is the most expensive opera show ever produced?

Keara Langland

As an avid opera fan and a regular attendee of various opera shows around the world, I can confidently say that the most expensive opera show ever produced is the Metropolitan Opera's production of Richard Wagner's "Ring Cycle" in 2010.

The "Ring Cycle" is a tetralogy of four epic operas, "Das Rheingold," "Die Walküre," "Siegfried," and "Götterdämmerung," that tells the story of love, greed, and power among gods and mortals. The Metropolitan Opera's production, directed by Robert Lepage, was a monumental undertaking that involved cutting-edge technology, intricate staging, and elaborate costumes and sets.

The budget for the production was reportedly $16 million, with the majority of the expenses going towards the production design and logistics. Lepage's vision for the "Ring Cycle" was to create a visually stunning and immersive experience for the audience, which he achieved through the use of a 90,000-pound, 24-plank rotating stage, intricate video projections, and acrobatic performers.

The sheer scale of the production was breathtaking. The ring-shaped stage was 45 feet in diameter and could rotate individually or as a whole to create different settings and moods. The video projections, designed by Boris Firquet, were seamlessly integrated with the live performance, creating stunning visual effects that enhanced the storytelling.

The costumes and sets were also a sight to behold. The costumes, designed by François St-Aubin, were inspired by Norse mythology and featured intricate details and textures. The sets, designed by Carl Fillion, were equally impressive, with towering structures and intricate mechanisms that moved and transformed the stage.

Despite the astronomical cost, the "Ring Cycle" was a critical and commercial success. The production was sold out for its entire run and garnered rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. The New York Times called it "a triumph of personality, technology, and artistry," while Opera News hailed it as "a landmark achievement in the history of opera production."

In conclusion, the Metropolitan Opera's production of Richard Wagner's "Ring Cycle" in 2010 is the most expensive opera show ever produced to date. Its groundbreaking design, innovative use of technology, and extravagant production values set a new standard for opera productions, and its success proved that there is still a place for grand-scale, epic storytelling in the world of opera.