News
Water curtain for Wagner’s Ring Cycle
5th November 2004
State Opera of South Australia today unveiled one of spectacular special effects from its forthcoming production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle, a giant water curtain made possible by financial and technical support from United Utilities Australia.
UUA, which either on its own or with project partners has invested more than $150 million in water and wastewater infrastructure in South Australia, is also sponsor of the first Ring Cycle. Filling the entire stage opening, and measuring 10m high x 16m wide, the curtain device circulates water from below stage to the fly tower above, where it is released onto an opaque membrane before being collected and recycled
The curtain, symbolizing the River Rhine is in play right at the start of The Ring Cycle. It operates in a similar way to scenic gauze, allowing the Rhinemaidens to magically appear and disappear and the Rhinegold itself to be revealed from the depths of the river in spectacular fashion. The curtain is used again, in conjunction with live onstage fires, during the cataclysmic conclusion to The Ring when the Hall of Gibechung collapses, the Rhine floods its banks and the world as it has been represented to The Ring audience is consumed and destroyed. In the interim it is ‘flown’ and stored above the stage.
“As a company, we pride ourselves on the ability to deliver practical solutions in water, so when Stephen Phillips, general director of State Opera requested access to our expertise to solve a challenging design concept, I was happy to provide whatever assistance was required. UUA values its partnership with State Opera SA and this gave us the opportunity to do something really constructive in support of an outstanding artistic achievement. I am really proud that a group of mainly young UUA engineers applying good old Aussie know- how, were able to deliver,” said Graham Dooley, Managing Director of United Utilities Australia.
“We are indebted to UUA for its significant contribution to the production through the development and construction of this spectacular water curtain in addition to a substantial financial contribution,” added Stephen Phillips, General Director, State Opera.