* Los Angeles Opera *
presents
Richard Wagner's
Der Ring des Nibelungen
Ring Cycle I, May 29 - June 7, 2010

The highlight of this tour is Los Angeles Opera’s most ambitious undertaking to date: the company's $32-million production (Los Angeles Times, February 15, 2009) of Richard Wagner's four-part mythological epic about gold and greed, "The Ring of the Nibelung," designed and directed by Berlin-born Achim Freyer. The Ring’s outstanding staging and cast - which includes Plácido Domingo, the General Director of LA Opera as Siegmund - combined with a recital by American soprano
Christine Brewer
at Frank Gehry’s stunning
Walt Disney Concert Hall
fit together well for a delightful visit in Los Angeles. We cordially invite you to join us.

James Conlon, Music Director of LA Opera, conducts this production.
Director and Designer: Achim Freyer; Costume Designers: Achim Freyer and Amanda Freyer; Lighting Designers: Brian Gale and Achim Freyer.
Sung in German with English Supertitles.

* * * I T I N E R A R Y * * *

Saturday, May 29

Independent arrivals in Los Angeles. Accommodations at the four-diamond OMNI LOS ANGELES HOTEL at CALIFORNIA PLAZA. Located in downtown Los Angeles and within walking distance from Los Angeles Opera’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and Walt Disney Concert Hall. The 17-story hotel offers 453 guestrooms and suites. Enjoy a relaxing visit to the hotel’s outdoor heated lap pool or to the fitness center. The hotel features high-speed wireless Internet service. Check-in time is 3:00 PM.

5:00 PM: Welcome reception in the hotel’s NOÉ Restaurant and Bar.

6:30 PM: Free pre-performance lecture with James Conlon at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Wagner’s DAS RHEINGOLD (Los Angeles Opera/Dorothy Chandler Pavilion - 7:30 PM). “By renouncing love, the repulsive Alberich seizes a hoard of gold in order to gain possession of an all-powerful ring but barely has time to enjoy his good luck. Deluged with marital and property problems, Wotan, ruler of the gods, plots to steal the Nibelung's ring, an act which seals his fate, portending the ultimate destruction of the gods.” Wotan: Vitalij Kowaljow, Loge: Arnold Bezuyen, Alberich: Gordon Hawkins, Mime: Graham Clark, Fricka: Michelle DeYoung, Erda: Jill Grove, Fasolt: Morris Robinson, Fafner: Eric Halfvarson, Freia: Ellie Dehn, Donner: Wayne Tigges, Froh: Beau Gibson, Woglinde: Stacey Tappan, Wellgunde: Lauren McNeese, Flosshilde: Ronnita Nicole Miller.

After the performance, our welcome dinner in the hotel’s NOÉ Restaurant and Bar.

Sunday, May 30

Morning and afternoon at leisure.

5:00 PM: Free pre-performance lecture with James Conlon at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Wagner's DIE WALKÜRE (Los Angeles Opera/Dorothy Chandler Pavilion - 6:00 PM). “The most popular installment of the Ring, Die Walküre is a saga of forbidden love, heroism, and the conflict between personal ambition and desire and the rule of law. The tragic love story of long-lost twins Siegmund and Sieglinde also recounts how a daughter's defiance secures the future of humanity but prophesies the eventual downfall of Valhalla.” Siegmund: Plácido Domingo, Sieglinde: Michelle DeYoung, Brünnhilde: Linda Watson, Wotan: Vitalij Kowaljow, Fricka: Ekaterina Semenchuk, Hunding: Eric Halfvarson, Gerhilde: Ellie Dehn, Helmwige: Susan Foster, Ortlinde: Melissa Citro,Waltraute: Erica Brookhyser, Rossweisse: Margaret Thompson, Siegrune: Buffy Baggott, Grimgerde: Jane Dutton, Schwertleite: Ronnita Nicole Miller.

Monday, May 31

This morning a CITY HIGHLIGHTS TOUR including DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES, HOLLYWOOD with GRAUMAN'S CHINESE THEATRE and GRIFFITH PARK with the famous OBSERVATORY, and BEVERLY HILLS. Lunch at CAFÉ RODEO, Rodeo Drive’s signature restaurant in Beverly Hills. Balance of the day at leisure.

Tuesday, June 1

Morning and afternoon at leisure.

CONCERT (Walt Disney Concert Hall - 8:00 PM). The American soprano CHRISTINE BREWER in recital. “Grammy Award winning soprano Christine Brewer's appearances in opera, concert and recital are marked with her own unique timbre, at once warm and brilliant, combined with a vibrant personality and emotional honesty reminiscent of the great sopranos of the past. Her range, golden tone, boundless power, and control make her a favorite of the stage as well as a sought-after recording artist.”

Wednesday, June 2

Full day at leisure – or an O P T I O N A L opportunity: In 2010, LA Opera will join forces with more than 75 cultural and educational institutions in Los Angeles to stage Ring Festival LA. Southern Californians and cultural tourists from around the world will be able to enjoy a wide variety of special exhibitions, performances, symposia and special events all centered on LA Opera's upcoming presentation of Wagner's Ring cycle in 2010, the first time that the epic masterwork will be presented in its entirety in Los Angeles. We’ll keep you informed as more detailed information becomes available.

Thursday, June 3

Morning and afternoon at leisure.

5:00 PM: Free pre-performance lecture with James Conlon at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Wagner's SIEGFRIED (Los Angeles Opera/Dorothy Chandler Pavilion - 6:00 PM). “Wotan’s prophecy -- a hero who forges a mighty sword to slay the dragon Fafner -- forms the basis of the third installment of Wagner’s Ring cycle. Siegfried, son of Siegmund and Sieglinde, fulfills Wotan’s predictions and forms a triumphant union with warrior maiden Brünnhilde, foretelling the twilight of the gods.” Siegfried: John Treleaven, Mime: Graham Clark, Wanderer: Vitalij Kowaljow, Brünnhilde: Linda Watson, Alberich: Richard Paul Fink, Fafner: Eric Halfvarson, Erda: Jill Grove, Woodbird: Stacey Tappan.

Friday, June 4

This morning by private motorcoach a visit to THE J. PAUL GETTY MUSEUM’s Getty Center Los Angeles. Enjoy an independent self-guided tour of the Getty Center Los Angeles. Richard Meier's Getty Center harmoniously unites unique design elements, beautiful gardens, and open spaces. The Getty Center presents the Getty's collection of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens, and breathtaking views. Lunch at the museum’s THE RESTAURANT.

After lunch, a guided tour of the renovated and recently reopened GETTY VILLA, modeled after a first-century Roman country house, the Villa dei Papyri in Herculaneum, Italy. It is an educational center and museum dedicated to the study of the arts and cultures of ancient Greece and Rome. On view are Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities arranged by themes including Gods and Goddesses, Dionysus and the Theater, and Stories of the Trojan War. Balance of day at leisure.

Saturday, June 5

Full day at leisure to explore this fascinating city on your own.

Sunday, June 6

Morning and early afternoon at leisure. Mid-afternoon farewell luncheon at KENDALL’S BRASSERIE & BAR. At 4:00 PM, Free pre-performance lecture with James Conlon at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

Wagner's GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG (Los Angeles Opera/Dorothy Chandler Pavilion - 5:00 PM). “In the final opera of Wagner's epic cycle, Brünnhilde and Siegfried embark on a quest to restore Alberich's ring to the Rhine from whence it came, bringing about the devastation of Valhalla and the gods.” Siegfried: John Treleaven, Gunther: Alan Held, Hagen: Eric Halfvarson, Brünnhilde: Linda Watson, Waltraute: Michelle DeYoung, First Norn: Jill Grove, Second Norn: Michelle DeYoung, Third Norn: Melissa Citro, Gutrune: Jennifer Wilson, Woglinde: Stacey Tappan, Wellgunde: Lauren McNeese, Flosshilde: Ronnita Nicole Miller, Alberich: Richard Paul Fink.

Monday, June 7

Independent departures from Los Angeles. Check out time at the Omni Hotel is 12:00 Noon.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

GOOD NEWS!

We’ve gone to bat for this tour. Due to the length of the stay in Los Angeles, it was a little pricey. Now we have convinced the hotel – as well as the Los Angeles Opera – to renegotiate the rates and are very pleased to be able to offer you this tour now for only

$3,995.00 per person sharing a double room -- reduced from $4,995.00
$895.00 single room supplement -- reduced from $1,215.00

* * * * * * * * * * * *
The deposit required to hold space on this tour is $2,000.00 per person.

* Click here to see the itinerary in pdf format. *

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DEPOSITS and FINAL PAYMENT may be made by personal check in US Dollars or credit card. Final payment will be due 60 days prior to the commencement of the tour.

TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:

Deluxe accommodations at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel for 9 nights; buffet breakfast daily, 3 lunches, 1 dinner; private transfers to and from all scheduled events when required – no transfers needed between the Omni Hotel and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion or Walt Disney Concert Hall. All Ring tickets in center orchestra; concert tickets in center Terrace. Services of an experienced Dailey-Thorp tour director. Services of an experienced Dailey-Thorp tour director. Tips to the Dailey-Thorp tour director as well as for all other group services. Not included: air fare, tips upon individual arrivals and departures as well as to the hotel chambermaids.

HOTEL INFORMATION: Please note that bookings received less than 60 days prior to the commencement of the tour will be subject to hotel availability. Room cancellations received after April 1, 2010, will not be refundable due to hotel policy.

ADDITIONAL NIGHTS: Should you wish to add extra nights at the hotel in Los Angeles -- before and/or after the tour -- Dailey-Thorp will book these extra nights for you. Prices on request.

AIR TRANSPORTATION:

Any flights from any airport -- may be arranged with Dailey-Thorp's air agent in New York -- Mr. Christophe Buszkiewicz; Telephone 212-944-2121, ext. 2829 and/or ext. 2217. Having been the manager of Dailey-Thorp's air department for many years in New York, Christophe is familiar with all our tour operations. Or, tour guests may book their flights through their local travel agent or directly with the airlines.

CANCELLATION OF TOUR:

LAND ARRANGEMENTS: The price of the Ring Cycle tickets ($1,600.00), once purchased, is not refundable unless the tickets can be resold. For cancellation by the client, these charges will apply: Cancellations received 60 days or more prior to tour commencement = $250.00 per person; 59-31 days prior = 50% of land arrangements price; less than 31 days prior =100% of land arrangements price; no appearance/no written notice = 100% of the land arrangements price. No refunds will be made for any part of the tour package, such as sightseeing, meals, performances or transfers, which are voluntarily omitted by any tour member; the tour is sold as a package. We must strictly adhere to our cancellation policy to offset costs incurred prior to the commencement of the tour.

AIR TRANSPORTATION: Cancellation of AIR FLIGHTS will be subject to the cancellation policy of the airline.

TRIP INSURANCE: WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE. An application will be included with our acknowledgment of your reservation. We suggest that you apply for it as soon as possible after signing up for a tour. Should it become necessary for you to cancel due to illness and/or business reasons, the policy may cover your losses (subject to insurance terms).

All cancellations must be in writing.
All tour programs are subject to change by the operator.

CANCELLATION INSURANCE IS HEARTILY RECOMMENDED!

DT1043 --- 10/01/09; Rev. 3/18/10; Rev. 5/18/10