Siegfried and Jay Hunter Morris...Roarrrrr....

Second Fanthom Event...Siegfried! Again, I left the theater completely stress free and a little sad it was over. Regardless of the fact that it was a Six hour event. This "Live" performance was from New York, and it was phenomenal! I hardly know where to start?

Let's start with the staging. It was ultra modern and very up to date. By saying that let me explain. There was no standard back drop or moving walls or curtains, instead they used the coolest electronic pillars. These were present the entire time. The performers walked around, in front, behind and even scaled across them. The new wave portion was the coolest. Each pillar was a screen, connected to a computer program that projected the scene upon each one, they were four dimensional. The water fall flowed into a pool of water that could be stirred by the performers. When they crossed it the leaves scattered under their feet and in the mountain scene, the flames flickered and whipped high in the air to protect Siegfried's beloved Brunnhilde. During one scene there is a yellow bird that Siegfried admires and after he slays the dragon and accidentally taste's the dragons blood he can understand what the bird is saying. Once he is capable of understanding it, the bird leads him to the treasure, the ring, and escorts him on a journey to find his beloved bride Brunnhilde. The bird floats and flies throughout the backdrop (a.k.a. pillars) and it is in 3D. It was extraordinary in HD at the theater and I can only imagine how much more wonderful it was in New York, in person.

The music by Wagner was intoxicating. The German Opera is sharp and sometimes the notes they sing bring you to your seat. It is said that Siegfried is the hardest tenor Opera part out there. Well now, that Jay Hunter Morris nailed it! Who'd a thunk a southern drawn Paris, Texas boy would have that beautiful tenor voice? I hung on every note. I caught myself thinking how on earth, it just goes on and on, higher and higher.( and it WAS 6 HOURS!!)

The character of Siegfried himself changes and evolves from a carefree young man to a man destined to slay the dragon, climb the mountain with the ring of fire to save with a kiss his one true beloved Brunnhilde. Who, by the way, was beautifully portrayed by the talented Deborah Voigt. Her soprano voice ringing loud and clear as she awaken from her slumber to find Siegfried totally entranced and madly in love with her.

It was yet another reason to find a Fathom Events theater in your area. When David asked if I had a good time, I went on and on. There is no real way to describe how it makes me feel. I just know that sitting in that theater, hearing the orchestra, the talented performers and reading the adjoining text, makes me use both sides of my brain. I leave the theater completely full. Satisfied and happy. Isn't that what the Arts are suppose to do?