In this week’s episode of Opera Tok, Immolation, we speak to Dr. Kirsten Paige, Assistant Professor of Musicology at North Carolina State University on Wagner, ecology and climate change, exploring the technological and philosophical ideas on the relationship between man and nature that have trickled down to the present times, including how his music and its institutions can offer decolonial, collaborative responses to the climate crisis and its inequalities.

This year, we are teaming up with our friends from The Orchestra of the Music Makers to explore the work of one composer, and probably one of the most celebrated AND controversial composers in opera, Richard Wagner. This is ahead of the Orchestra of the Music Makers’ performance of the first opera of Wagner’s epic Ring Cycle, Das Rheingold, on July 8. 

Over 6 episodes, we will be speaking with experts and musicians to unpack Wagner’s work, discuss some of the issues and how they translate to us in the 21st Century, and to explore the ways in which these works continue to be relevant in uncovering the conflicts in human nature that have led to many of the global issues we face today.  From mythology and Game of Thrones to climate change and the environment, join us as we descend into the worlds of Richard Wagner and his operas. 

Listen to it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or whoever you listen to your podcasts!

Opera Tok is produced by MeaVox Live, and hosted by Shridar Mani