Switzerland ~ Opera

09 June 2025

Gutrune gives Siegfried (James Kee) a potion to abandon Brünnhilde in Wagner's epic opera Twilight of the Gods (Götterdämmerung)

Why did I go to Zürich, often listed as the most expensive city in Europe? And let me confirm that Zürich is indeed very expensive!
Here is my exorbitant iced latte costing just over $10 (US)! And later in the day this little, spicy chicken sandwich cost me the crazy amount of $18 (US).

Despite being a major financial hub in Europe, costly Zürich has fewer than half a million residents and is a pretty, cozy little city.

My wheeler-dealer Swiss friend (one of the famed "gnomes of Zürich") and his wife live in a condo that is part of this former factory now converted to residences and shops.

The reason I flew to Zürich was to take the hour train ride over to the capital Bern to see my friend James Kee star as Siegfried in the Bern Opera's wild production of Wagner's Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods). That is James above holding the knife.

The leading critic in Der Bund disliked the staging but praised Kee:
"There were exquisite guests, foremost among them James Kee as Siegfried.... As he strides through the story as a hero, the tenor masters the demanding vocal part. And his final scene — provided one is not distracted by the naked [man] in the background — moves one to tears."
Yes, a naked guy was inexplicably gyrating around throughout the climactic third act.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Modern opera productions sometimes try desperately to be edgy.

With rising heldentenor (aka "tenor heróico") James Kee at the Bern Opera House (aka Stadttheater Bern or Bühnen Bern).

Bern is my favorite city in Switzerland and has more historic character than Zürich. Previously, I spent more time in Bern in 2019 when I had a more extensive trip around the country. See my post here. But getting to see James Kee's latest triumph on Bern's opera stage made this short trip special.