This article I found in the New York Times briefly touches on two basic styles of opera staging. One is that of incorporating new technologically advances and using them to furnish the opera. That is the style chosen by Robert Lepage in his high-tech production of Wagner’s “Ring”. The production included the biggest piece of machinery ever used at the Met Opera House. “Rigoletto”, on the other hand, consists of more realistic staging and costume choices by Otto Schenk.
After doing more research I found that Schenk is known for his lavish, traditionalist, and realistic styling choices. He is most well known for his production of Wagner’s “Ring”, or “Der Ring des Nibelungen”. Schenk’s version of Wagner’s “Ring” is actually being replaced by Lepage’s more technologically advanced set design. For an article on Lepage’s new design click here.
