Technical Challenges of Wagner's Operas

Wagner’s Ring poses theatrical challenges that boggle the mind. Wagner wanted flying horses, swimming mermaids, disappearing people, dragons, blazing flames, anvil splitting and strategic sword extractions. Over the years Wagnerian audiences have come to expect ‘what Wagner wanted” and are never shy in expressing their opinions about Ring productions.

Robert Schaub is no stranger to these challenges and he worked behind the scenes not only on the Seattle Ring, but with many other productions presented by the Seattle Opera.

Schaub will examine a number of iconic moments in various Ring productions from the 1970’s forward and he will demonstrate how directors have dealt with these challenges using the technology of their time.

Robert Schaub has been the director of Seattle Opera’s technical and facilities department for more than 20 years. He played a key role in the development and realization of designs for McCaw Hall. Schaub is the recipient of a 2001 Eddy (Entertainment Design) award for his work on Seattle Opera’s Der Ring des Niebelungen. He made his Seattle Opera design debut in May 2013, partnering with Robert Dahlstrom on the set design for Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. In season 2013-2014 he is on the technical teams for Tales of Hoffman, Rigoletto, The Counsul, and The Daughter of the Regiment.

Program begins at 1:00 p.m.     Free to members, non-members $10

JCC-SF

3200 California Street (at Presidio)

San Francisco, CA 94118