Wagner's Das Rheingold
Wagner’s Das Rheingold was unlike anything I had experienced before. Performed by the Orchestra of the Music Makers, the concert featured a beautiful film backdrop that brought the world of gods, gold, and betrayal to life, making it easier to follow how each leitmotif shifted and changed. I especially loved the Rhinemaidens’ shimmering theme. A fun surprise was seeing Loki glide across the stage on rollerblades — a clever and refreshing twist! Even without knowing German, the music and singing made every emotion clear and powerful.
He Ziyu with SSO: Winds Above The Sea - Hans Graf and He Ziyu
Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto in D major comes from his neoclassical period, where he used fresh rhythms and surprising harmonies while following traditional concerto forms. At the Winds Above the Sea concert at the Esplanade, I heard He Ziyu perform it with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra. The music felt bright, energetic, and full of surprises, like the notes were dancing in unexpected ways. He Ziyu played with amazing precision, especially in the tricky, fast sections. In the slower parts, his tone became very gentle and expressive, making the music feel alive and thoughtful.
