"Das Rheingold" at the Met

Settled into our Grand Tier box seats at the Metropolitan Opera, for "Das Rheingold," at about 12:30 PM on Saturday. We were very close to the stage, overlooking the orchestra.

This year is supposedly the last year the Otto Schenk production of "The Ring" cycle will be played at the Met. Rumor has it, however, that James ("Jimmy") Levine wants the sets warehoused, not destroyed. We'd be delighted, if that were true, because we like the productions very much.

Then, too, given the exigencies of the current economy, the Met may decide to recycle one or more of these productions, rather than try to fund new ones - for several years. Time will tell!

Meanwhile, we look forward to the remaining operas in Wagner's Ring cycle, over the next several weeks.