Wagner’s 16 hour epic opera Der Ring des Nibelungen is coming to Brisbane

People travel the globe just to see one of the opera world’s most epic productions, and Brisbane is expecting a $15 million boost to the local economy when the “Everest of opera” comes to QPAC in 2020.

IT HAS been described as the Everest of opera and Richard Wagner fans are expected to fly into Brisbane from the four corners of the globe next November to see Der Ring des Nibelungen late next year.

Known simply as the Ring Cycle, or the Ring, it features 16 hours of music and singing based on Norse mythology. Opera Australia artistic director Lyndon Terracini, the man behind the event, said it was hard to underestimate what a big thing it is to be ­having a Ring Cycle here.

Lyndon Terracini, Opera Australia artistic director. Picture: Peter Derrett

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones will announce the event today with Mr Terracini and other dignitaries on hand.

“People do travel the world for these events,” Mr Terracini said. “If opera is a one-dayer, the Ring Cycle is a test match. For people who have never seen it, this production will be a treat and the music is amazing.”

Ms Jones said Opera Australia had chosen QPAC as the stage for one of its most innovative projects to date. “When it comes to major events, Queensland has the runs on the board,” she said.

“We’ve just hosted rugby league’s Australian-first Magic Round and now we’ll host the world’s most high tech opera.”

Minister Kate Jones

Mr Terracini, a mad rugby league fan who ran the Queensland Music Festival and the Brisbane Festival before taking over at Opera Australia, said this production will be fully digital with huge LED screens suspended from the ceiling at QPAC moving seamlessly around the stage and creating a visual landscape. It will be directed by internationally acclaimed movie, theatre and opera director Chen Shi-Zheng.

Chen Shi-Zheng, director of opera

Mr Terracini said Brisbane was the perfect city for the Ring Cycle with accommodation and eateries near the theatre to help get people through the 16-hour haul.

It will be presented in several cycles between November 10 and December 5, 2020, with presales available from June 13. It goes on sale to the general public on July 2.