Retired Horn Player Remembers Seattle Opera’s First Wagner Tubas

The Wagner Tuba was commissioned by the composer in 1874. The first tubas were built by Georg Ottensteiner in Munich, Germany.

Back in the mid-1970s, there weren’t many places to experience Der Ring des Nibelungen in its entirety. Fortunately for us, Seattle was the only place in the US to showcase Richard Wagner’s masterwork at that time. Our first Ring cycle was in 1975 under the stage direction of George London and baton of Henry Holt. That production featured nearly 200 artists, including Walter Cole, one of four Wagner tuba players.

“Those first Ring cycles were some great times,” Cole said, “especially for us—the horn players.” In addition to the music, Cole and his three colleagues were eager to play the four new Wagner tubas that the opera had acquired especially for the performance. “I’ve been a musician all my life, but that is one of my proudest moments,” said the 92-year-old retiree.

Tasveer and Seattle Opera announce new partnership

The South Asian film and arts nonprofit will host annual Film Summit in Tagney Jones Hall

Tasveer staff members Rita Meher, Anterpreet Bains, Uzma Khan, and Khenrab Palden. © David Jaewon Oh.

The South Asian film and arts nonprofit Tasveer has moved its administrative staff into the Opera Center, where they will share facilities and event space with Seattle Opera staff. In addition to access to workspace, storage, and technical support, Tasveer will host its annual Film Summit in Tagney Jones Hall, Seattle Opera’s 200-seat theater.

A Conversation With Denyce Graves

© Devon Cass

Considered as one of the preeminent mezzo-sopranos of her generation, Denyce Graves has performed in many of the world’s most important opera houses, sharing the stage with many distinguished opera stars. Widely acclaimed for her signature title roles in Carmen and Samson and Delilah, Graves has appeared on Sesame Street and Between the Lions and featured on CBS’s 60 Minutes. She’s performed during the 55th Presidential Inauguration of Vice President Dick Cheney and George W. Bush. She’s sang “America the Beautiful” and “The Lord’s Prayer” at Washington National Cathedral during the memorial service for the victims of 9/11. And most recently, Graves has sung at the US Capital as her friend Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s casket was lying in state. In this conversation with Seattle Opera, Graves talks about her mother’s influence, performing with Elmo, her passion helping the next generation of classical performers, and more.