Wagner passion comes full cycle DRESS rehearsals have been held this week for the Melbourne Ring cycle, with full houses cheering at the conclusion of each hours-long performance. Maureen Wheeler has resolutely stayed away. The co-founder of the Lonely Planet travel guides and self-confessed Wagner tragic had mixed feelings about attending the unofficial previews, not wanting either to pre-empt a triumph or court possible disappointment. After all, Ms Wheeler has a greater investment than most in the Melbourne Ring: she made a $5 million donation to Opera Australia, without which the $20m show wouldn't go on.