Program for 2026
19th September.
This session will be presented by Stephen Emmerson together with some friends and accomplices. As many of us are keenly anticipating the upcoming concert performances in Sydney (that will conclude Simone Young’s Ring cycle with the SSO), the topic will again focus on Götterdämmerung and is titled “Hagen’s Watch”.
The session will be in distinct three parts. Firstly, Stephen and our Society’s treasurer Judy Xavier will reflect briefly on their recent experiences at this year’s Bayreuth Festival sharing their reactions to the productions presented at the 150th anniversary season (including another contentious Ring cycle.)
Then Stephen will play and discuss briefly a celebrated scene from Act 1 of Götterdämmerung, known as “Hagen’s Watch” where the son of Alberich reveals his true character and intentions. Though dark, it is a scene of immense dramatic power and extraordinary musical sophistication.
In conclusion, Stephen will be joined by two colleagues/friends – partners in crime(?!) – violinist/violist Warwick Adeney and horn player Ysolt Clark both of whom played in the orchestra for the Brisbane Ring. Extending last month’s topic of transcriptions, the trio will perform a new arrangement of music extracted from Siegfried and Götterdämmerung (including “Siegfried’s Rhine Journey” and “Hagen’s Watch”). Though not intended to be taken too seriously, the music-making will hopefully round off the afternoon enjoyably before we retire for afternoon tea.
4MBS FM Studio, 384 Old Cleveland Road, Coorparoo. 3- 5pm. Attendance Fees are $20 for members, $25 for guests. Please transfer payment to Bank of Queensland, BSB 124021, Account No. 22612919. Quote your surname and month. Please advise the Secretary at alphayap60@gmail.com of the transfer and any names of guests. There will be afternoon tea after the meeting, and contributions will be welcome.
17th October.
Our October meeting will again this year be held at the Elizabeth Street cinema in the city. Continuing this year’s focus on Götterdämmerung we will show Act 3 from the famous Bayreuth 1976 centenary production directed by Patric Chereau, conducted by Pierre Boulez with Gwyneth Jones as Brünnhilde, Manfred Jung as Siegfried, Fritz Hübner as Hagen and Franz Mazura as Gunther. Though hugely controversial at the time, 50 years later the production has come to be recognised as a landmark in the performance history of Wagner’s works for its dramatic power and musical excellence. The showing will be followed by cake and drinks.
14th November.
This year’s Annual General Meeting on November 14th will be held again at the 4MBS studio. Following the president’s report on this year’s activities, members of next year’s committee and executive will be proposed and elected. Anyone intending to take on such a role should contact the president/secretary in advance of the meeting to help facilitate the nomination process. The meeting will be followed by a presentation from our former President Peter Bassett on the topic of “Dance rhythms in Wagner’s scores”. This promises to be another fascinating presentation that will draw from Peter’s life-time of engagement with Wagner’s music and, as ever, presented with his customary breadth of knowledge, wisdom and humour.
4th December (from 6pm)
This year our end-of-year party will be held at Tattersalls Club (206 Edward Street) where we will celebrate together with a traditional Christmas dinner (including Turkey and Christmas pudding). Further details to follow. Numbers will be limited so make sure you register early.