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Biography of Tour Guide, June Slobodian:
June had early training in violin and voice. After a short, mediocre (not meteoric) career in Gilbert and Sullivan, she decided that the world needed an enthusiastic fan more than it needed an ordinary mezzo.
Like many of her generation, June was introduced to opera through Mario Lanza movies. Her love of opera was reinforced through Texaco Opera and CBC’s Saturday Afternoon at the Opera, and Saturday afternoons are religiously guarded to listen to opera. June is a frequent contributor to CBC Saturday Afternoon at the Opera Quiz. After sending in questions to Texaco Opera Quiz for years, one of her questions was finally used on the very last Texaco sponsored opera; fittingly Gottendamerurg. One life goal attained! Since then, June has had two more questions used on The Met Opera Quiz. Bravo June!
Be sure to read:
Opera Club of Paris - Mario Lanza - The Passion of the Great Voices - The Portait of Legendary Artist (IN ENGLISH)
Opera Club of Paris - Mario Lanza - The Passion of the Great Voices - The Portait of Legendary Artist (IN FRENCH)
June never tires of the Ring. Since the Ring is based on myth, it resonates with the collective unconscious in each of us, and will be true for all time. All of the experiences one is likely to encounter in life are portrayed in the Ring. By knowing and studying the Ring, one learns more about oneself. Each Ring is a new experience, as we are at different places in our lives for each Ring. Each Ring has its own individual message for each person.
Although June enjoys most opera, her interest in Richard Wagner occurred serendipitously, during two different opera vacations in New York. Attending every opera offered during the week, she found that Dutchman was a cut above the rest. The following year, Walkure was the most enjoyable opera.
Thinking that Wagner’s operas were worth pursuing, June began an exciting adventure, not even knowing that the ultimate destination was Bayreuth.
Seattle Opera was the important first step on this journey. The Seattle Ring of 1985 was a perfect first Ring. Seattle becomes a Ring City - all Wagner, all the time - countless talks, symposiums, pre and post opera lectures and discussions, plus a performance of Das Barbeque - a musical comedy spoof on the Ring, commissioned by Seattle Opera.
This Ring production by Rochaix-Israel was well cast and very accessible. Speight Jenkins, General Director, stated that every word in this Ring would ring true and would be matched on stage. Novel idea, that. The dramatic highlight of this Ring was a mechanical dragon, being manipulated by Alberich. The fire from the dragon could be felt 20 rows back. June was in Row 2.
Intellectual highlights were the lectures by Perry Lorenzo, Education Director of Seattle Opera. Drawing from Greek plays, Norse myths, and George Lucas, Lorenzo illuminated the timelessness of the Ring. Of particular interest to June was the comparison of the Ring to the Talmud. In the Talmud, the words are printed in the center of the page, and over the centuries, pages write their own interpretation of the passage. Interpretations may be in opposition to each other; however each interpretation is valid and adds to the understanding of the passage. Similarly, different Ring interpretations add to the total knowledge of the work.
Wagner’s words are the conscious mind, and his music, the unconscious. And as often happens in real life, there may be inconsistencies between the two. Always trust the music.
June set a goal to see at least one Ring a year. She has succeeded and surpassed this goal.
VALHALLA OPERA TOURS
To enable others to see a Ring in the easiest possible way, June established Valhalla Opera Tours.
The goal of Valhalla Opera Tours is to provide:
- Best available seats for the operas
- Compatible travel companions
- Hotels that best fit the parameters of convenience, service and value
- Breakfast and some other meals
- An educational component - meetings with the local Wagner Society, attending Ring events sponsored by the opera company, etc.
- Pre-opera presentations with our own personal Wagner expert (when available)
- Opportunities to share thoughts and feelings after the opera over wine and cheese
- Tours to interesting area sites
- An enthusiastic tour guide.
- Valhalla Opera Tours presents the type of Ring experience you would arrange yourself if you had the time. It gives you everything you could possibly want in a Ring experience, and more.
Life is short
Opera is long
Wagner is forever.
Memorable Rings:
- A great Ring experience has three parts - anticipation, realization, and remembrance.
- Of all the Rings I have attended, only one was marred. Before establishing Valhalla Opera Tours, one of the Rings I attended was an organized tour with a tour guide who was a philistine. (Phillistine: noun: anti-intellectual, ignorant, smug, indifferent or hostile to artistic values.) This was her first foray into attending any opera and I found her ignorant, dismissive comments jarring.
- One thing you can be assured of in attending a Ring with Valhalla Opera Tours --- Your tour guide will be a Wagner aficionado. (Aficionado: noun: devoted fan or enthusiast; often used to describe opera fans: fanatic. Fanatic: insane but divinely inspired.)
- Bayreuth Ring. Bayreuth is the Mecca. It was incredible to be in the company of others making this pilgrimage, making the hajj. I walked the streets Wagner walked; heard the Siegfried Idyll played in the same location in the same house where it was debuted as a gift to his beloved Cosmina; sat in the opera house Wagner built; heard his music as it was meant to be heard - in the presence of other aficionados, in this festspeilhouse with perfect acoustics; performed by people devoted to his music.
- In my enthusiasm after Bayreuth’s Reingold, I immediately jumped to my feet to applaud. I was the only one standing. In Bayreuth, I quickly learned, one is more discriminate about standing. Also, one is allowed and maybe expected to boo the sets, production, or anyone or anything else that doesn’t come up to the expected standards of Bayreuth. Who knew? For the other operas, I became the second person standing. However, I was always standing in my heart.
- Each tour I have personally conducted is very special. Researching and preparing events, sharing my passion with others, the give and take - learning from and teaching others, greatly enhances the enjoyment of the Ring.
For further INFORMATION:
June Slobodian, Tour Host
valhallaoperatours@shaw.ca
204-237-4511
1-888-737-4511
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