This "semi-staged" Ring directed and designed by Hartmut Schörghofer at the award-winning Palace of Arts in Budapest was launched in 2008. The Hungarian Radio Symphony Orchestra is conducted by Adam Fischer, who was acclaimed for his Ring at Bayreuth and in Vienna. Fischer has recently been appointed Music Director of the Budapest Opera. Excellent acoustics, remarkable architecture that looks good by day and by night and a dramatic setting on the banks of the Danube mark this new and exciting venue.""It was a privilege for British visitors to share in the audience's enthusiastic acclaim and to salute Adam Fischer's remarkable direction of the whole venture. His more than anyone's was the real triumph." (Michael Kennedy Opera Magazine)

The only way to perform the Ring over four consecutive evenings as the composer had hoped for is to give the role of Wotan/Wanderer to different singers and to split the role of Brünnhilde. This was done in the Mariinsky touring production which you may have caught at Cardiff. The singers are regularly heard at Bayreuth, Berlin and Munich in these roles.

We have seats at the front of the stalls and are again accompanied by writer and critic Michael Kennedy who will give an introduction to the Ring and then talk about each of the operas, and performances he has attended, ,and we shall be able to discuss what we have heard.

Accommodation is at a renovated Spa Hotel on the Margaret Island, the wooded paradise in the middle of the Danube in the heart of the Hun" Cost togarian capital. Edwardian luxury is combined with the latest in recreational facilities. A pleasant outdoor pool and sunbathing area complement hot and cold indoor pools (all included) and various health treatments and massages (extra cost but much cheaper than in the UK). At night hanging lanterns illuminate the paths through the woods where the inhabitants of the city stroll, pausing for a drink from time to time. There is time to explore the city (we give you a transport and museum card) or to enjoy the spa facilities.

Cost to include airport and opera transfers, good tickets, supper on arrival and in the opera intervals, half-day tour and five nights b&b accommodation with spa facilities £990. Single Supplement £140. Flights are not included but we are happy to advise and book for you as required : British Airways, Malev Hungarian Airlines, Easy-jet or Jet 2 fly to Budapest from London Heathrow/Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol,Newcastle or Luton.

Wednesday 10 June

Arrive, transfer to hotel. Supper and Introduction to Wagner's Ring

Thursday 11 June

Half-day tour of Budapest. 6pm Das Rheingold Wotan: Johan Reuter Loge: Christian Franz Alberich: Hartmut Welker Fricka: Judit Nemeth

Friday 12 June

Free Day. 4pm Die Walküre Siegmund: Christian Franz Hunding: Walter Fink Wotan: Juha Uusitalo Sieglinde: Christiane Iven Brünnhilde: Linda Watson Fricka: Judit Nemeth

Saturday 13 June

4pm Siegfried Siegfried: John Treleaven Wanderer: Johan Reuter Alberich: Hartmut Welker Erda: Hanna Schwarz Brünnhilde: Irene Theorin

Sunday 14 June

4pm Götterdämmerung Siegfried: Christian Franz Hagen: Eric F Halvarson Brünnhilde: Linda Watson Waltraute: Cornelia Kallisch

Monday 15 June

Transfer to airport. Departure.