Fellowship of the ringheads: LA Opera's Ring cycle and the cult of Wagner

Unrestricted This work examines a group of opera fans called “Ringheads,” who fanatically follow Wagner’s four-part operatic event, the “Ring” cycle, from city to city. Discussing what draws this group to Wagner will reveal the differences between Wagner’s music and other composers’ works. Using interviews with various Ringheads, musicologists, and classical music experts, this piece will examine why Ringheads adore Wagner and why their presence still couldn’t make LA Opera’s “Ring” a financially successful event. The work provides background about Wagner’s music and his theater in Bayreuth, Germany.