The master singers return for Opera Australia's Ring cycle RICHARD Wagner's epic, four-part Ring cycle often is described as a life-changing work of art, and not only for those prepared to sit through it. For the principal artists - those experienced singers on whose vocal talents Wagner productions are built - appearing in a complete Ring cycle is said to be a physical feat akin to running a marathon. For a start, the four operas that make up a complete cycle run for 15 hours in total. Each performance is scheduled every second or third day, so a cycle goes for just more than a week. Any shorter and singers' voices can be put at risk. Any longer and the devoted audiences, those madcap Wagnerites who travel the world for Ring festivals, could not be expected to stay for the duration.