Bavaria and, in particular, its eccentric and benignly deranged ruler King Ludwig II, figured largely in the life and work of Richard Wagner in his most productive years and Munich saw the first performances of many of his operas, including Lohengrin, Tristan und Isolde, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg and the first two operas in the Ring Cycle. It is only fitting that this new Andreas Kriegenburg production, led by Maestro Kent Nagano, is staged at the Bayerischer Staatsoper’s prestigious Nationaltheater as an excellent precursor to the “Wagner” year of 2013.

The announcement of the Cycle has met with an overwhelming level of public demand, but we have been successful in securing a very limited number of first category seats for the full Cycle. Due to the compact timeframe, some of the key roles are double cast and, it is fair to say, this is one of the strongest rosters of Wagnerian voices available anywhere:

For many Ring aficionados the intensity of the four operas and a conveniently located hotel are sufficient, without the addition of many other group activities, so we have decided to offer the program on this basis, but retaining the option to participate in a select number of auxiliary musical, cultural and dining events. We also offer the option to upgrade to a 5 star hotel and add extra nights. The program will be facilitated and hosted by Act 1 Tours’ Ian Sale.

Note that the group size is limited to 10 participants.

Six nights 4* Maximilian Apartments & Hotel, Hochbrückenstraße 18, a 500 meter walk to the Nationaltheater. See www.maximilian-munich.com. All the Garden Studios (for singles) and City/Garden Suites (for doubles) are spacious, fully air-conditioned serviced apartments, with full kitchen facilities to enable a degree of self-catering, if desired. Breakfasts are available daily at €15 per person and a full service restaurant D’Aversa is on site and open during the hours 18.00-01.00 Monday-Saturday. The apartments are clustered around a peaceful inner courtyard (Rose Garden) and there are also spa services available. Free WiFi connection.

Included are two group dinners/lunches and two ad hoc museum visits will be arranged during the week.

Rate per person:

$ 4,350 per person double occupancy
$ 4,950 - $5,400 single occupancy (dependent on suite)

• July 12   7.00pm    Rossini’s La Cenerentola (DiDonato, Brownlee, Borchev, Corbelli; Allemandi). Directed by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle.
  
  
• July 14   Joyce DiDonato Lieder Recital (Vivaldi, Fauré, Rossini, Schubert, Schumann). Accompanist: David Zobel .

• to 5* Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten Kempinski Superior Room