Speakeysie News Service

Cast Change Announcement
Christine Goerke steps in for Wendy Bryn Harmer as Brünnhilde

(April 19, 2024 … Atlanta, GA) . . . The Atlanta Opera, announces a cast change for the production of Richard Wagner’s Die Walkürescheduled for April 27 – May 5.

Christine Goerke will sing the role of Brünnhilde taking over from Wendy Bryn Harmer. A leading soprano on international stages, Goerke is completing a run in the title role of Puccini’s Turandot at The Metropolitan Opera this evening. Renowned for performing Wagner, Goerke has performed as Brünnhilde at Lyric Opera of Chicago, in the full Ring at the Metropolitan Opera, the Canadian Opera Company, Houston Grand Opera, and the Edinburgh International Festival. The Wall Street Journal says, “Ms. Goerke displays a big, blazing soprano that not only has the gale-force power and sheen to slice through [a] huge orchestra but also seamless legato and an entire paintbox of colors.”

Unfortunately, Wendy Bryn Harmer contracted a viral infection just before the crucial, final week of rehearsals began and was forced to make the painful decision to withdraw from Brünnhilde. She is devastated not to be able to make her debut with the company in Die Walküre and looks forward to debuting the role in the future.

Ms. Goerke makes her company debut and joins a cast that includes Greer Grimsley (Wotan), Viktor Antipenko (Siegmund), Laura Wilde (Sieglinde), Raymond Aceto (Hunding), and Gretchen Krupp (Fricka) with Arthur Fagen conducting. The new production, the first new US production of a full Ring cycle since the pandemic, has a creative team led by producing director Tomer Zvulun with Erhard Rom, scenic and projection designer, Robert Wierzel, lighting designer, and Mattie Ullrich, costume designer.

Performances of Die Walküre at The Atlanta Opera are scheduled for Saturday April 27, Tuesday April 30, Friday May 3, and Sunday May 5 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Information and tickets: https://www.atlantaopera.org/performance/die-walkure-2024/