Editing Seattle Opera (section)

===Richard Wagner at Seattle Opera===
For many years, the company was noted for its performances of the works of [[Richard Wagner]], including the ''[[Der Ring des Nibelungen|Ring]]'' cycle. In 1975, it was the first American company to perform the cycle in its entirety over the space of a week since the Metropolitan Opera in 1939. The Seattle Opera's last ''Ring'' was in August 2013, and they have stated that they have no plans to produce the ''Ring'' in the future.<ref>{{cite web |title=Seattle Opera – The Ring Cycle |url=https://www.seattleopera.org/tickets/the-ring-cycle/ |website=www.seattleopera.org |access-date=3 May 2022}}</ref>

====''Ring'' 1, 1975–1984====
Beginning with a production of ''[[Die Walküre]]'' one year, and following successively each year with ''[[Siegfried (opera)|Siegfried]]'' and, finally, ''[[Götterdämmerung]]'', Ross announced in 1975 that ''[[Das Rheingold]]'' would precede the others to make up the first consecutive ''Ring'' cycle over six days in July. In spite of the modernization of the opera productions which Ross found at the [[Bayreuth Festival]], Seattle's were to be traditional productions and appeal to the lovers of the traditional.

Two back-to-back cycles of the ''Ring'', one each in German and English, were presented annually between 1975 and 1983. [[Andrew Porter (music critic)|Andrew Porter]]'s English adaptation which was prepared for the [[English National Opera]] and which was priced below the German language cycle, introduced many new listeners to Wagner. Originally directed by [[George London (bass-baritone)|George London]] with designer John Naccarato, later presentations were directed by Lincoln Clark between 1976 and 1983, and by the tenor, [[Ragnar Ulfung]] in 1984. Henry Holt conducted all the cycles. The performances were well attended and received good press.

By 1982, the cycle was drawing opera lovers from all over the United States, as well as many other countries of the world, and Seattle appeared to be a serious rival to Bayreuth.

====''Ring'' 2, 1985–1995====
Following his appointment as general director, Jenkins immediately set about creating a new ''Ring'' production. ''Die Walküre'' appeared first, in 1985, followed by complete cycles in 1986, 1987, 1991, and 1995. (Jenkins determined that the company could achieve higher quality performances by presenting the ''Ring'' every four years.) The new production was directed by Francois Rochaix, with sets and costumes designed by Robert Israel, lighting designed by Joan Sullivan, and supertitles (the first ever created for the ''Ring'') by [[Sonya Friedman (translator)|Sonya Friedman]]. The production set the action in a world of nineteenth-century theatricality. Initially controversial, it sold out in 1995. Conductors included [[Armin Jordan]] (''Die Walküre'' in 1985), [[Manuel Rosenthal]] (1986), and [[Hermann Michael]] (1987, 1991, and 1995).

====''Ring'' 3, 2000–2013====
Jenkins engaged a new creative team to conceive Seattle Opera's third ''Ring'' production, which was unveiled in 2000 (''Das Rheingold'' and ''Die Walküre'') and 2001 (full cycle) and returned in 2005, 2009, and 2013. Director [[Stephen Wadsworth]], set designer Thomas Lynch, costume designer [[Martin Pakledinaz]], lighting designer [[Peter Kaczorowski]] created a production which became known as the "Green" ''Ring'', inspired in part by the natural beauty of the [[Pacific Northwest]]. Armin Jordan returned to conduct in 2000, Franz Vote in 2001, and [[Robert Spano]] in 2005 and 2009. The 2013 production, conducted by Asher Fisch, was released as a commercial recording on compact disc and on iTunes. The productions starred singers such as [[Greer Grimsley]], [[Stephanie Blythe]], [[Ewa Podleś]], [[Jane Eaglen]], Richard Paul Fink, [[Margaret Jane Wray]], and [[Stephen Milling]].