Siegfried at the RBO: Kosky and Pappano surprise and delight

Andreas Schager (Siegfried)

Andreas Schager (Siegfried) and Peter Hoare (Mime)

Soloman Howard (Fafner) and Andreas Schager (Siegfried)

Illona Linthwaite (Old Erda) and Wiebke Lehmkuhl (Erda)

Andreas Schager (Siegfried)

Elisabet Strid (Brünnhilde)

By David Karlin, 17 March 2026

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“each interaction revealed the psychology between its two protagonists in new and interesting ways”

Reviewed at Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London on 17 March 2026

Wagner, Siegfried

The Royal Opera

Sir Antonio Pappano, Conductor

Barrie Kosky, Director

Rufus Didwiszus, Set Designer

Victoria Behr, Costume Designer

Alessandro Carletti, Lighting Designer

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden

Andreas Schager, Siegfried

Peter Hoare, Mime

Christopher Maltman, Der Wanderer

Elisabet Strid, Brünnhilde

Christopher Purves, Alberich

Soloman Howard, Fafner

Wiebke Lehmkuhl, Erda

Sarah Dufresne, Waldvogel (the woodbird)

Terfel’s craggy Boris Godunov returns to Covent Garden

Mark Pullinger, 29th January

The second revival of Richard Jones' staging of Mussorgsky's original 1869 version of Boris Godunov once again stars the Welsh knight.

****1

Ermonela Jaho returns in triumph to The Royal Opera’s Traviata

Mark Valencia, 8th January

Richard Eyre’s 32-year-old production is rarely out of The Royal Opera’s repertoire for more than a few months at a time, but this particular revival proves very special.

*****

Turandot drowned in an orchestral tsunami at The Royal Opera

David Karlin, 15th December

Andrei Șerban’s 40 year old take on Puccini's tale of the ice princess largely stands the test of time, but Netrebko and Eyvazov are short of their best form.

***11

Handel’s Ariodante returns home to Covent Garden

Roy Westbrook, 9th December

Jetske Mijnssen’s house debut sees Handel’s opera transposed to a modern-day palace, with Emily D'Angelo angelic in the title role.

****1

The Royal Opera stages its first Makropulos Case

Mark Valencia, 4th November

Katie Mitchell wheels out her tired old tropes in The Makropulos Case, redeemed by its musical performances.

***11

The Magic Flute returns in triumph to the Royal Opera House

Christopher Woodley, 10th October

Sir David McVicar's classic staging of The Magic Flute, now over 20 years old, shines afresh in a stylish performance conducted by Marie Jacquot, making her Covent Garden debut.

****1

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David Karlin

David is a co-founder of Bachtrack. He is a musical omnivore interested in almost all types of music, but with a particular love of Italian opera. You can contact him from this link.

Siegfried at The Royal Opera: Kosky and Pappano continue to surprise and delight