In the second part of our short portraits, we personally introduce you to the remaining three soloists of the opening premiere: Christa Mayer (Mary), Michael König (Erik), and of course the title hero, Evgeny Nikitin.
the Flying Holländer: the Soloists (II)
Christa Mayer
Christa Mayer came to Bayreuth from Dresden, where she sings in the ensemble of the Semperoper. Most recently, she sang Countess Geschwitz in Stefan Herheim’s acclaimed Lulu production and Bradamante in Händel’s Alcina by Jan Philipp Gloger. She previously sang Erda and Waltraute in the last Bayreuth Ring from 2008 to 2010 and always enjoys returning. On the one hand, she is delighted to experience the “Bayreuth myth”; on the other hand, summer in Bayreuth also means coming “home” for her: she was born in the neighboring district of Amberg-Sulzbach. “To sing Wagner’s music again and again in different roles, in different operas, and in new productions—that is wonderful. And when you do it in Bayreuth, it’s especially beautiful,” she says, beaming. For her personally, The Flying Holländer is the Wagner opera that first musically imprinted itself on her—not only because of the playful, easy accessibility of the music, but also because of the concise plot.
More about Christa Mayer
Michael König
Bayreuth debutant Michael König came to Franconia from Canada. In addition to his singing career, he runs a sea kayaking and outdoor adventure company on Haida Gwaii Island on the west coast with his wife and four daughters. Shortly before, he had sung Guido Bardi in Zemlinsky’s Eine florentinische Komödie at the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto. When asked what makes Bayreuth special for him, he spontaneously replies: “It’s Bayreuth! Every singer dreams of it as a student, and now it has happened—Wow!” As Erik, he makes his role debut here. For him, the appeal of the role lies in being able to sing it for the first time in Bayreuth: “The place itself and, above all, the special acoustics of the house are unique advantages.”
More about Michael König
Evgeny Nikitin
Evgeny Nikitin lives in St. Petersburg, where he regularly sings at the Mariinsky Theatre since his studies, in addition to his worldwide engagements. He has just premiered a new production of Boris Godunov there. “Even as a student, I dreamed of singing Wagner, preferably here in Bayreuth, of course,” he says. This wish is now coming true. For a Russian singer, he admits, this is also a linguistic challenge, which he is currently working on intensively. He himself develops his own interpretation of a role primarily from the singing. The development of a scenic representation in the sense of this interpretation then arises together with the director. “I like to do what he tells me, and in turn, I take care of the best possible vocal implementation.” It is a reciprocal process of scene and music. For him personally, however, the music is paramount. “One thing in particular connects me with the character of the Dutchman,” he notes: “I am also a traveler.” Only he doesn’t live on a ship, but often out of a suitcase.
More about Evgeny Nikitin