Does the time feel right for your role debuts as Sieglinde and Brünnhilde?

Yes, it really does! I like to think of this production as the ‘Phoenix’ Ring. We first began working on it in March 2019, when the key creative team came to Sydney to workshop their ideas. We then had a very intensive rehearsal period mounting Das Rheingold and Die Walküre in early March 2020. I was rehearsing Sieglinde and Brünnhilde at the same time, just as the world was shutting down. We then tried to mount it in late 2020 and again in 2021, so I have been ready to perform these ladies for a very long time now! 

Anna-Louise Cole for Opera Australia’s Melbourne Ring Cycle 2016. Photo © Jeff Busby

When did you start preparing the two roles? 

I have been working on Sieglinde since June 2015. I understudied Amber Wagner for OA in 2016 and was lucky enough to rehearse her for two full weeks with Brad Daley as Siegmund and Neil Armfield directing us! OA’s former...