A two-ton, smoke-belching dragon head requires twenty stagehands to position during the preparation for Wagner's complete Ring Cycle at the San Francisco Opera.
Synopsis
A two-ton, smoke-belching dragon head requires twenty stagehands to position during the preparation for Wagner's complete Ring Cycle at the San Francisco Opera.
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Synopsis
Ken "Spike" Kirkland stands backstage at the San Francisco Opera, preparing for the monumental production of Richard Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen. Over the course of a month, stagehands from IATSE Local #16 rehearse intricate cues for lighting and set movements, including a two-ton dragon head. As the cast rehearses, the crew finds moments of leisure, playing cards and knitting. The film captures the intensity of their work leading up to opening night, culminating in a time-lapse of the performance itself.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Meet stagehands managing a two-ton dragon head.
- See Ken 'Spike' Kirkland's unique commentary on Wagner.
- Find out how stagehands relax backstage during rehearsals.
Did You Know
- The Ring Cycle consists of four operas with a total performance time of 17 hours.
- The film was completed in 1998, eight years after filming began in 1990.
- The documentary won the Filmmaker’s Trophy at the Sundance Film Festival in 1999.
- The film was broadcast on PBS's Independent Lens series on September 27, 1999.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Sing Faster: The Stagehands' Ring Cycle?
Jon H. Else directed Sing Faster: The Stagehands' Ring Cycle.
What is the total performance time of Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen?
The total performance time of Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen is seventeen hours.
When was Sing Faster: The Stagehands' Ring Cycle released at the Sundance Film Festival?
Sing Faster: The Stagehands' Ring Cycle was released at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 1999.
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