Rheingold (Richard Wagner) A character who only makes a brief appearance is Erda in Wagner’s Rheingold – though this is a much more incisive role, and one that is important for the opera. I gave my debut as Erda at the State Theatre in Nuremberg in 2017.
Erda is a goddess with a powerful presence. She has important things to say when she appears, and moves in an appropriately majestic way. This role demands a lot; you have to maintain a sense of calm, both vocally and in your stage movement, but also in how you put across the content of what she has to say.
Dignified, barefoot, earthy and powerful – that’s my Erda, and I will always be happy to sing her again.