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Soft Valkyrie
Soft Valkyrie

Soft Valkyrie

Can someone whisper Die Walküre in your ear? With opera, you do not think of whispers or sighs but of strong classical voices in grand, spectacular set pieces. But the composer and game designer David Kanaga has turned Richard Wagner’s famous opera into a podcast. In Die Walküre, the second part of Wagner’s Ring des Nibelungen, the supreme god Wotan punishes his daughter Brünnhilde for not following his orders. He makes her mortal and locks her up in a mountain surrounded by fire. While closely following Wagner’s notes and storyline, Kanaga’s background in the world of gaming can be heard in his use of electronic instruments and sound effects full of humour, drama and mysticism. The parts are sung by an atypical cast, ranging from classically trained vocalists like Claron McFadden to the demonic voice artist Attila Csihar – sung to be listened to on headphones rather than in an opera house. The result is intimate, light and less domineering than the original. One might even say: soft. A warm narrating voice turns Wagner’s stage instructions into a magical radio play in which the entire drama takes place in listeners’ imagination.Each of the three acts of Die Walküre will be divided into several podcast episodes for Soft Valkyrie. The episodes of the first act will be released on June 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th. The episodes of the second and third acts will follow later.

Available Episodes 10

Previously on Soft Valkyrie. Brunnhilde, resigned to disappear into her coma, begged Wotan to at least surround her with a magic fire that will scare away everyday adventurers so that only the most fearless of heroes might manage to awaken her. Wotan is deeply moved by this proposal and accepts it. The two cherish their final moments together in soft eyes, embaces, kisses, and a sweet lullaby.

Click here for the full-score and for the libretto.

Soft Valkyrie

Presented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with Staatsoper Hannover and Dutch National Opera.

Full Credits

Music and libretto  - Richard Wagner

English translation  - Frederick Jameson

Direction & MIDI arrangement  - David Kanaga

VOICES

Siegmund  - Bryan the Mensah

Sieglinde  - Hailey Clark

Hunding  - Attila Csihar

Wotan  - Mattijs van de Woerd

Fricka  - Nadine Secunde

Brünnhilde -  Claron McFadden

Valkyries  - Mercedes Arcuri (Gerhilde, Helmwige), Clara Nadesdin (Ortlinde, Siegrune), Weronika Rabek (Waltraute, Grimgerde), Monika Walerowicz (Rossweisse, Schwertleite)

INSTRUMENTS

MIDI Piano, Act 1 - Marc Evanstein

MIDI Piano, act 2 and 3 - Ernst Munneke

Additional Flute on Siegmund’s “Winterstürme” - Jonas Pologe

SFX packs - Ableton, SOPHIE, Spectrasonics

PRODUCTION

Casting - David Kanaga, Christian Carlstedt

Dramaturgy - Laura Roling, Manon Schreurs

Commissioned and co-produced by  Holland Festival, Dutch National Opera, Staatsoper Hannover

With the support of  NTR Radio 4

Special thanks to  Sound department Staatstheater Hannover, Soho Square Studios London, Splendor Amsterdam, Jochem Valkenburg, Jasper Berben 

Previously on Soft Valkyrie, Brunnhilde explained herself further to Wotan, first asking for his mercy, but eventually proudly embracing her decision and fate, with no regrets. She has helped save the Walsung family, by sending Sieglinde and the broken sword off to the forest, where the mother-to-be will soon give birth to the heroic child of incest, Siegfried. Wotan responded with ambivalence, acknowledging that her defense of Siegmund reflected his deeper intentions, but he remains committed to his punishment.

 Click here for the full-score and for the libretto.

Soft Valkyrie

Presented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with Staatsoper Hannover and Dutch National Opera.

Full Credits

Music and libretto  - Richard Wagner

English translation  - Frederick Jameson

Direction & MIDI arrangement  - David Kanaga

VOICES

Siegmund  - Bryan the Mensah

Sieglinde  - Hailey Clark

Hunding  - Attila Csihar

Wotan  - Mattijs van de Woerd

Fricka  - Nadine Secunde

Brünnhilde -  Claron McFadden

Valkyries  - Mercedes Arcuri (Gerhilde, Helmwige), Clara Nadesdin (Ortlinde, Siegrune), Weronika Rabek (Waltraute, Grimgerde), Monika Walerowicz (Rossweisse, Schwertleite)

INSTRUMENTS

MIDI Piano, Act 1 - Marc Evanstein

MIDI Piano, act 2 and 3 - Ernst Munneke

Additional Flute on Siegmund’s “Winterstürme” - Jonas Pologe

SFX packs - Ableton, SOPHIE, Spectrasonics

PRODUCTION

Casting - David Kanaga, Christian Carlstedt

Dramaturgy - Laura Roling, Manon Schreurs

Commissioned and co-produced by  Holland Festival, Dutch National Opera, Staatsoper Hannover

With the support of  NTR Radio 4

Special thanks to  Sound department Staatstheater Hannover, Soho Square Studios London, Splendor Amsterdam, Jochem Valkenburg, Jasper Berben 

Previously on Soft Valkyrie. After Wotan threw a fit on discovering that Brunnhilde’s eight sisters were hiding her from him, she finally willingly came forward to submit to his punishments. He explained his plan– to put her into a deep coma, and leave her to lie in wait. She will only awaken if someone braves the danger to find her. And then she will marry this savior. The valkyries were appalled at this idea, and begged their father to revoke his sentence, but Wotan denied them in spite and fury, sending the group away, leaving himself alone with Brunnhilde, exhausted in the twilight.

 Click here for the full-score and for the libretto.

Soft Valkyrie

Presented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with Staatsoper Hannover and Dutch National Opera.

Full Credits

Music and libretto  - Richard Wagner

English translation  - Frederick Jameson

Direction & MIDI arrangement  - David Kanaga

VOICES

Siegmund  - Bryan the Mensah

Sieglinde  - Hailey Clark

Hunding  - Attila Csihar

Wotan  - Mattijs van de Woerd

Fricka  - Nadine Secunde

Brünnhilde -  Claron McFadden

Valkyries  - Mercedes Arcuri (Gerhilde, Helmwige), Clara Nadesdin (Ortlinde, Siegrune), Weronika Rabek (Waltraute, Grimgerde), Monika Walerowicz (Rossweisse, Schwertleite)

INSTRUMENTS

MIDI Piano, Act 1 - Marc Evanstein

MIDI Piano, act 2 and 3 - Ernst Munneke

Additional Flute on Siegmund’s “Winterstürme” - Jonas Pologe

SFX packs - Ableton, SOPHIE, Spectrasonics

PRODUCTION

Casting - David Kanaga, Christian Carlstedt

Dramaturgy - Laura Roling, Manon Schreurs

Commissioned and co-produced by  Holland Festival, Dutch National Opera, Staatsoper Hannover

With the support of  NTR Radio 4

Special thanks to  Sound department Staatstheater Hannover, Soho Square Studios London, Splendor Amsterdam, Jochem Valkenburg, Jasper Berben 

Previously on Soft Valkyrie. Brunhilde arrived at the Valkyrie’s rock, where her sisters were gathering with corpses of heroes to bring to Valhalla, Wotan’s debt-plagued palace of death. She asked for someone to help with Sieglinde, who exited East with a sublime finale. But no sooner was this goal achieved than Wotan appeared in a fury, preparing to inflict the severest punishment on his daughter for her insubordination.

Click here for the full-score and for the libretto.

Soft Valkyrie

Presented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with Staatsoper Hannover and Dutch National Opera.

Full Credits

Music and libretto  - Richard Wagner

English translation  - Frederick Jameson

Direction & MIDI arrangement  - David Kanaga

VOICES

Siegmund  - Bryan the Mensah

Sieglinde  - Hailey Clark

Hunding  - Attila Csihar

Wotan  - Mattijs van de Woerd

Fricka  - Nadine Secunde

Brünnhilde -  Claron McFadden

Valkyries  - Mercedes Arcuri (Gerhilde, Helmwige), Clara Nadesdin (Ortlinde, Siegrune), Weronika Rabek (Waltraute, Grimgerde), Monika Walerowicz (Rossweisse, Schwertleite)

INSTRUMENTS

MIDI Piano, Act 1 - Marc Evanstein

MIDI Piano, act 2 and 3 - Ernst Munneke

Additional Flute on Siegmund’s “Winterstürme” - Jonas Pologe

SFX packs - Ableton, SOPHIE, Spectrasonics

PRODUCTION

Casting - David Kanaga, Christian Carlstedt

Dramaturgy - Laura Roling, Manon Schreurs

Commissioned and co-produced by  Holland Festival, Dutch National Opera, Staatsoper Hannover

With the support of  NTR Radio 4

Special thanks to  Sound department Staatstheater Hannover, Soho Square Studios London, Splendor Amsterdam, Jochem Valkenburg, Jasper Berben 

Welcome back to Soft Valkyrie. We’ve just left the scene of battle, where Wotan was flying into a rage at Brunnhilde’s disobedience. Now, look off to the horizon. See that peak out there? T hat’s where Brunhilde’s sisters, the other Valkyries, like to gather and play with their dead heroes. Brunhilde has just escaped the scene of battle with Sieglinde in tow, and must be headed in their direction to ask for help. Let’s fly on over, and see how things are going.

Click here for the full-score and for the libretto.

Soft Valkyrie

Presented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with Staatsoper Hannover and Dutch National Opera.

Full Credits

Music and libretto  - Richard Wagner

English translation  - Frederick Jameson

Direction & MIDI arrangement  - David Kanaga

VOICES

Siegmund  - Bryan the Mensah

Sieglinde  - Hailey Clark

Hunding  - Attila Csihar

Wotan  - Mattijs van de Woerd

Fricka  - Nadine Secunde

Brünnhilde -  Claron McFadden

Valkyries  - Mercedes Arcuri (Gerhilde, Helmwige), Clara Nadesdin (Ortlinde, Siegrune), Weronika Rabek (Waltraute, Grimgerde), Monika Walerowicz (Rossweisse, Schwertleite)

INSTRUMENTS

MIDI Piano, Act 1 - Marc Evanstein

MIDI Piano, act 2 and 3 - Ernst Munneke

Additional Flute on Siegmund’s “Winterstürme” - Jonas Pologe

SFX packs - Ableton, SOPHIE, Spectrasonics

PRODUCTION

Casting - David Kanaga, Christian Carlstedt

Dramaturgy - Laura Roling, Manon Schreurs

Commissioned and co-produced by  Holland Festival, Dutch National Opera, Staatsoper Hannover

With the support of  NTR Radio 4

Special thanks to  Sound department Staatstheater Hannover, Soho Square Studios London, Splendor Amsterdam, Jochem Valkenburg, Jasper Berben 

Previously on Soft Valkyrie. Siegmund met Brunhilde, who came bearing bad news at first. A noble death dialog ensued. But no sooner had Siegmund valiantly threatened to murder his new sister-bride so as to meet her in Valhalla when he died, Brunhile changed her mind, and joined Siegmund’s side, against their father’s wishes. Now Hunding approaches, and we will see how things play out.

Click here for the full-score and for the libretto.

Soft Valkyrie

Presented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with Staatsoper Hannover and Dutch National Opera.

Full Credits

Music and libretto  - Richard Wagner

English translation  - Frederick Jameson

Direction & MIDI arrangement  - David Kanaga

VOICES

Siegmund  - Bryan the Mensah

Sieglinde  - Hailey Clark

Hunding  - Attila Csihar

Wotan  - Mattijs van de Woerd

Fricka  - Nadine Secunde

Brünnhilde -  Claron McFadden

Valkyries  - Mercedes Arcuri (Gerhilde, Helmwige), Clara Nadesdin (Ortlinde, Siegrune), Weronika Rabek (Waltraute, Grimgerde), Monika Walerowicz (Rossweisse, Schwertleite)

INSTRUMENTS

MIDI Piano, Act 1 - Marc Evanstein

MIDI Piano, act 2 and 3 - Ernst Munneke

Additional Flute on Siegmund’s “Winterstürme” - Jonas Pologe

SFX packs - Ableton, SOPHIE, Spectrasonics

PRODUCTION

Casting - David Kanaga, Christian Carlstedt

Dramaturgy - Laura Roling, Manon Schreurs

Commissioned and co-produced by  Holland Festival, Dutch National Opera, Staatsoper Hannover

With the support of  NTR Radio 4

Special thanks to  Sound department Staatstheater Hannover, Soho Square Studios London, Splendor Amsterdam, Jochem Valkenburg, Jasper Berben 

Previously on Soft Valkyrie. Sieglinde and Siegmund were shown in a terrible mood far from the erotic bliss of their innocent foray into brother-sister cuckoldry. They realize what they’ve done, and what fate awaits them when they are discovered by Hunding and his hounds. Both are utterly frazzled and preoccupied with thoughts of death, when Brunhilde appears.

Click here for the full-score and for the libretto.

Soft Valkyrie

Presented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with Staatsoper Hannover and Dutch National Opera.

Full Credits

Music and libretto  - Richard Wagner

English translation  - Frederick Jameson

Direction & MIDI arrangement  - David Kanaga

VOICES

Siegmund  - Bryan the Mensah

Sieglinde  - Hailey Clark

Hunding  - Attila Csihar

Wotan  - Mattijs van de Woerd

Fricka  - Nadine Secunde

Brünnhilde -  Claron McFadden

Valkyries  - Mercedes Arcuri (Gerhilde, Helmwige), Clara Nadesdin (Ortlinde, Siegrune), Weronika Rabek (Waltraute, Grimgerde), Monika Walerowicz (Rossweisse, Schwertleite)

INSTRUMENTS

MIDI Piano, Act 1 - Marc Evanstein

MIDI Piano, act 2 and 3 - Ernst Munneke

Additional Flute on Siegmund’s “Winterstürme” - Jonas Pologe

SFX packs - Ableton, SOPHIE, Spectrasonics

PRODUCTION

Casting - David Kanaga, Christian Carlstedt

Dramaturgy - Laura Roling, Manon Schreurs

Commissioned and co-produced by  Holland Festival, Dutch National Opera, Staatsoper Hannover

With the support of  NTR Radio 4

Special thanks to  Sound department Staatstheater Hannover, Soho Square Studios London, Splendor Amsterdam, Jochem Valkenburg, Jasper Berben 

Previously on Soft Valkyrie. Wotan confessed the end of his backstory to Brunhilde, and passed on to her the bad news that she must not help Siegmund. Rather she must lead him to his death. Wotan left, leaving Brunhilde alone, whence she took her horse bridle and went off in search of Siegmund.

  Click here for the full-score and for the libretto.

Soft Valkyrie

Presented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with Staatsoper Hannover and Dutch National Opera.

Full Credits

Music and libretto  - Richard Wagner

English translation  - Frederick Jameson

Direction & MIDI arrangement  - David Kanaga

VOICES

Siegmund  - Bryan the Mensah

Sieglinde  - Hailey Clark

Hunding  - Attila Csihar

Wotan  - Mattijs van de Woerd

Fricka  - Nadine Secunde

Brünnhilde -  Claron McFadden

Valkyries  - Mercedes Arcuri (Gerhilde, Helmwige), Clara Nadesdin (Ortlinde, Siegrune), Weronika Rabek (Waltraute, Grimgerde), Monika Walerowicz (Rossweisse, Schwertleite)

INSTRUMENTS

MIDI Piano, Act 1 - Marc Evanstein

MIDI Piano, act 2 and 3 - Ernst Munneke

Additional Flute on Siegmund’s “Winterstürme” - Jonas Pologe

SFX packs - Ableton, SOPHIE, Spectrasonics

PRODUCTION

Casting - David Kanaga, Christian Carlstedt

Dramaturgy - Laura Roling, Manon Schreurs

Commissioned and co-produced by  Holland Festival, Dutch National Opera, Staatsoper Hannover

With the support of  NTR Radio 4

Special thanks to  Sound department Staatstheater Hannover, Soho Square Studios London, Splendor Amsterdam, Jochem Valkenburg, Jasper Berben 

Previously on Soft Valkyrie. Wotan began to describe his backstory to Brunhilde. We learn of Alberich’s theft of the Rhinegold, of the laborer Fafner’s departure with the gold in the form of a dragon, and of Wotan’s desire to kill him which is impeded by his contractual obligation.

  Click here for the full-score and for the libretto.

Soft Valkyrie

Presented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with Staatsoper Hannover and Dutch National Opera.

Full Credits

Music and libretto  - Richard Wagner

English translation  - Frederick Jameson

Direction & MIDI arrangement  - David Kanaga

VOICES

Siegmund  - Bryan the Mensah

Sieglinde  - Hailey Clark

Hunding  - Attila Csihar

Wotan  - Mattijs van de Woerd

Fricka  - Nadine Secunde

Brünnhilde -  Claron McFadden

Valkyries  - Mercedes Arcuri (Gerhilde, Helmwige), Clara Nadesdin (Ortlinde, Siegrune), Weronika Rabek (Waltraute, Grimgerde), Monika Walerowicz (Rossweisse, Schwertleite)

INSTRUMENTS

MIDI Piano, Act 1 - Marc Evanstein

MIDI Piano, act 2 and 3 - Ernst Munneke

Additional Flute on Siegmund’s “Winterstürme” - Jonas Pologe

SFX packs - Ableton, SOPHIE, Spectrasonics

PRODUCTION

Casting - David Kanaga, Christian Carlstedt

Dramaturgy - Laura Roling, Manon Schreurs

Commissioned and co-produced by  Holland Festival, Dutch National Opera, Staatsoper Hannover

With the support of  NTR Radio 4

Special thanks to  Sound department Staatstheater Hannover, Soho Square Studios London, Splendor Amsterdam, Jochem Valkenburg, Jasper Berben 


Previously on Soft Valkyrie. We learned that Fricka is none too happy about this incestuous cuckoldry. In her sovereignty as the god of marriage, she has elicited a commitment from Wotan not to help Siegmund during the coming battle. Instead, Hunding should prevail, and avenge the affair. …Now Wotan is alone with Brunhilde, to whom he must convey the altered plans.

Click here for the full-score and for the libretto.

Soft Valkyrie

Presented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with Staatsoper Hannover and Dutch National Opera.

Full Credits

Music and libretto  - Richard Wagner

English translation  - Frederick Jameson

Direction & MIDI arrangement  - David Kanaga

VOICES

Siegmund  - Bryan the Mensah

Sieglinde  - Hailey Clark

Hunding  - Attila Csihar

Wotan  - Mattijs van de Woerd

Fricka  - Nadine Secunde

Brünnhilde -  Claron McFadden

Valkyries  - Mercedes Arcuri (Gerhilde, Helmwige), Clara Nadesdin (Ortlinde, Siegrune), Weronika Rabek (Waltraute, Grimgerde), Monika Walerowicz (Rossweisse, Schwertleite)

INSTRUMENTS

MIDI Piano, Act 1 - Marc Evanstein

MIDI Piano, act 2 and 3 - Ernst Munneke

Additional Flute on Siegmund’s “Winterstürme” - Jonas Pologe

SFX packs - Ableton, SOPHIE, Spectrasonics

PRODUCTION

Casting - David Kanaga, Christian Carlstedt

Dramaturgy - Laura Roling, Manon Schreurs

Commissioned and co-produced by  Holland Festival, Dutch National Opera, Staatsoper Hannover

With the support of  NTR Radio 4

Special thanks to  Sound department Staatstheater Hannover, Soho Square Studios London, Splendor Amsterdam, Jochem Valkenburg, Jasper Berben