15 & 16 July Manchester International Festival presents a new collaboration with the Hallé and The Bridgewater Hall; Wagner's Die Walküre supported by a specially commissioned dramatic prologue 'The Madness of An Extraordinary Plan: A Guide to Wagner's Ring Cycle'. Sir Mark Elder and the Hallé return to Wagner's Ring Cycle with a concert version of Die Walküre. This follows their 2009 presentation of Götterdämmerung, which ended with a 15 minute standing ovation and the recording of which is nominated for a 2010 Gramophone Award. This most enduring of operas will be performed at The Bridgewater Hall, which has arguably the UK's finest orchestral acoustic. MIF have commissioned Gerard McBurney to create a new dramatic prologue to Die Walküre. Sir Mark Elder leads the Hallé and three actors in a guide to Richard Wagner's revolutionary reinvention of the musical language of opera, 'The Madness of an Extraordinary Plan'. This will be an illluminating experience for Wagner afficionados and newcomers alike. Directed by Neil Bartlett, making a return to MIF. Sir Mark Elder conductor Siegmund Stig Andersen Hunding Clive Bayley Brünnhilde Susan Bullock Gerhilde Miranda Keys Waltraute Sarah Castle* Helmwige Katherine Broderick Grimgerde Ceri Williams Sieglinde Petra Maria Schnitzer Wotan Egils Silins Fricka Susan Bickley Ortlinde Yvonne Howard Schwertleite Linda Finnie Siegrune Alison Kettlewell Rossweisse Leah-Marian Jones Tickets are priced £15 - £49 (transaction charge applies). For more details, including to purchase tickets, visit www.mif.co.uk or contact The Bridgewater Hall Box Office on 0161 907 9000 or via their website - www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk Commissioned and produced by Manchester International Festival, the Hallé and The Bridgewater Hall. * We are grateful to Sarah Castle for replacing Madeleine Shaw who has had to withdraw.