Melbourne will play host to its first ever staging of Wagner's epic, Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring Cycle) when Opera Australia brings this gargantuan production to the magnificent State Theatre in 2013.

Opera Australia, in collaboration with Houston Grand Opera, the Victorian Government (through the Victorian Major Events Company), and Maureen and Tony Wheeler, is delighted to announce this long-awaited project.

The Melbourne Ring Cycle will be a journey through 15 hours of music across four nights in the theatre. The creative team will be led by two of Australia's most celebrated talents - director Neil Armfield and conductor Richard Mills.