In Das  Rheingold , the eve of Richard Wagner's tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen , the course is set toward the end of the world. The catastrophe unfolds as two completely opposing worldviews collide: the tragedy of Alberich, who believes that as a mortal he must take everything within his own lifetime. And the drama of Wotan, who, in his immortality—real or perceived—must recognize the emptiness and uniformity of eternal existence.

With  Das Rheingold,  Tobias Kratzer launches his new production of Wagner's  Ring – a total work of art, whose four evenings will premiere over three seasons. While the reception of Wagner in recent decades has tended to emphasize the human qualities of the gods, and the entire Ring of the Nibelung often served as a foil for biting critiques of capitalism, the future artistic director of the Hamburg State Opera is primarily interested in the motif of faith and its significance for our contemporary society. Currently, gods and goddesses tend to eke out a niche existence.

Ian will sing the role of Froh.