Legend says in 1876 a dragon built for the “Ring” cycle had its neck sent to this mideast capital, not the right German city

In the June 18, 2024, episode of Jeopardy!, the category “Geographic Name’s Almost the Same” featured a unique and intriguing clue that required contestants to dive deep into their knowledge of world capitals and historical anecdotes. The clue presented was: “Legend says in 1876 a dragon built for the ‘Ring’ cycle had its neck sent to this mideast capital, not the right German city.”

What is Beirut, Lebanon?

This clue draws on a fascinating historical mix-up involving a key prop for Richard Wagner’s famed “Ring” cycle. According to legend, a critical component of a dragon prop—a neck—was mistakenly shipped to Beirut instead of its intended destination, Bayreuth, Germany, where Wagner’s operatic masterpiece was first performed.

The story behind the clue centers on the inaugural performance of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle in the late 19th century. The “Ring” cycle, known for its complexity and length, is one of the most ambitious works in the operatic canon. In preparing for its first staging in 1876 at the newly constructed Bayreuth Festspielhaus, a special theater designed to Wagner’s specifications, all elements, including elaborate stage props such as the dragon, were to be shipped to Bayreuth.

However, the tale goes that there was a shipping error with the dragon’s neck, an essential part of the stagecraft. Instead of being sent to Bayreuth, Bavaria, it was erroneously dispatched to Beirut, Lebanon. This mix-up is a humorous and illustrative example of the challenges faced in staging such a massive and intricate production. The similarity in the names “Bayreuth” and “Beirut” likely contributed to the mistake, thus perfectly fitting the category of “Geographic Name’s Almost the Same.”

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