L.A. Opera’s ‘Das Rheingold’

Gordon Hawkins, as a haunting Alberich, in Los Angeles Opera’s production of “Das Rheingold.”  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Vitalij Kowaljow is Wotan in “Das Rheingold,” the first opera of Richard Wagner’s four-part saga “The Ring of the Nibelung.” “Die Walküre” also opens this season while “Siegfried” and “Götterdämmerung” will be staged next season.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Michelle DeYoung stars as Fricka.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Arnold Bezuyen is Loge in what, in total, will be the most expensive production in the company’s 22-year history.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Beau Gibson, left, stars as Froh, with Wayne Tigges as Donner -- in a scene with Vitalij Kowaljow as Wotan and Michelle DeYoung as Fricka.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Graham Clark takes the stage as Mime.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Jill Grove as a towering, rainbow-streaked Erda.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

The cast in dress rehearsal including Graham Clark as Mime, left, and Arnold Bezuyen as Loge, in red.  (Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times)

Fantasy takes wing in the staging of Los Angeles Opera’s “Das Rheingold” at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)