The Wagner Society of Washington, D.C. invites you to a

"Wagner Night at the Movies"

The Wagner Society of Washington, D.C.  announces a screening of excerpts
from two classic Wagner films followed by a moderated discussion on
Thursday, November 13, 2003, at 7:30 P.M.  The screening will take place
at the George Washington University, Funger Hall, 2201 G Street, N.W.
in Washington, D.C.  The event is open to the public.  Admission is free.

The Golden Ring -- The Making of Solti's Ring.  In 1965, the Vienna
Philharmonic, Sir Georg Solti, and a stellar cast of singers recorded
Gotterdammerung, the conclusion of the first-ever complete recording of
Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung that was begun in 1958.  For this now-classic
documentary film, The Golden Ring, the filmmakers were allowed to eavesdrop
as record producer John Culshaw led his production team through challenges
far removed from the ease of modern digital editing.  Singing giants of
the Twentieth Century --Birgit Nilsson, Wolfgang Windgassen, Gottlob
Frick, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and others-- brought unusually brilliant
artistry to the project.  Maestro Solti showed his usual energy and
exactitude throughout.  The film appeals both to opera lovers and film
fans alike.  It provides brilliant entertainment as well as lessons about
working under pressure to accomplish something that had not been tried
before.  The experience has also been documented in John Culshaw's
fascinating book about the project, Ring Resounding.

Anna Russell - The (First) Farewell Concert.  To end a long and hilarious
career, comedienne Anna Russell revived some of her best routines and
took them on the road.  The (First) Farewell Concert was taped in Baltimore
in 1984.  It highlights the late Anna Russell singing alto, soprano,
tenor, and bass in her surprisingly accurate, half-hour send-up of The
Ring of the Nibelung, told with careful attention to some of its most
apparent absurdities.

Phillip W.  Raines, opera reviewer and member of the Wagner Society's
Board of Directors, will moderate a discussion of the films after the
screening.

The Wagner Society of Washington, D.C.  is a private, non-profit
organization for the study and enjoyment of Wagner's art.  Its series
of lectures, the Evelyn Lear and Thomas Stewart Emerging Singers Program,
and social events will continue through June 2004.  Many programs are
free to the public.

The Wagner Society of Washington, D.C.
P.O. Box 33051
Washington, D.C. 20033
Telephone (301) 907-2600
Facsimile (301) 907-8671
http://www.wagner-dc.org

Posted by
Janice Rosen, Founder