Photo by Corey Weaver courtesy of San Francisco Opera

If you’re a fan of Lord of the Rings, you’re in for a treat! San Francisco Opera will be presenting Richard Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen (also known as The Ring cycle), which combines four huge operas.

It lasts seventeen hours spread out across four days (yes, you read that right) with a grand story line full of passion, betrayal, and music (loosely based on the same myths that inspired Lord of the Rings) and has been captivating audiences since it’s world premiere in 1876.

This massive undertaking is only produced in the Bay Area every 10 years or so because of it’s complexity, size (both in staging and casting) and cost ($23M!). So it’s definitely worth taking advantage of the opportunity to see it while it’s here.

Listen below for more on the scope of this incredible project, and make sure to read Red Curtain Addict’s ‘5 Things You Should Know Before Seeing the Ring Cycle’.