What is the plot of The Ring of the Nibelung?
SYNOPSIS: The plot revolves around a magic ring that grants the power to rule the world, forged by the dwarf Alberich from gold he stole from the Rhinemaidens in the river Rhine. Several mythic figures struggle for possession of the Ring, including Wotan (Odin), the chief of the gods.
What is the significance of Wotan’s spear?
In Richard Wagner’s opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen, Wotan’s (Odin’s) spear is made from the wood of the world ash-tree and engraved with the contracts from which Wotan’s power derives. He uses the spear to break the sword of Siegmund, leading to Siegmund’s death.
What warning does Erda give?
As the giants seize Freia and start to leave, Erda, the earth goddess, appears and warns Wotan of impending doom, urging him to give up the cursed ring.
What is Brunnhilde relationship to Wotan?
Brünnhilde is the daughter of Wotan and Erda, the earth goddess. She, along with her sisters, are Valkyries—warrior maidens who speed through the sky to bring bodies of fallen heroes from the battlefield to Valhalla. There these heroes are revived and protect the gods against their enemies.
Is Lord of the Rings based on Wagner’s Ring Cycle?
Der Ring des Nibelungen (“The Ring of the Nibelung”) is a cycle of four epic operas or ‘dramas’ by the German composer Richard Wagner. The works are based loosely on characters from the Norse sagas and the Nibelungenlied. The four dramas are often referred to as the Ring Cycle, “Wagner’s Ring”, or simply The Ring.
Why does Wotan have one eye?
First, in order to drink from the spring of wisdom, Wotan sacrificed one of his eyes. Second, Wotan fastened a spear from a branch he tore from the World Ash-Tree, which then withered and died.
Who is the God of spear?
Lugh has several magical possessions. He wields an unstoppable fiery spear, a sling stone, and owns a hound named Failinis. He is said to have invented fidchell, ball games, and horse racing. He corresponds to the pan-Celtic god Lugus, and his Welsh counterpart is Lleu Llaw Gyffes.
Who is the Wanderer in Siegfried?
Wotan
It is Wotan, lord of the gods, in human disguise as the Wanderer. He challenges the fearful Mime to a riddle competition, in which the loser forfeits his head. The Wanderer easily answers Mime’s three questions about the Nibelungs, the giants, and the gods.
Who is Erda in Das Rheingold?
Luise Jaide
Roles
| Role | Description | Cast in premiere of complete cycle (Cond. Hans Richter) |
|---|---|---|
| Gods | ||
| Erda | Primal earth mother, goddess of earthly wisdom | Luise Jaide |
| Nibelungs | ||
| Alberich | Power-hungry dwarf, lord of the Nibelungs | Karl Hill |
What was controversial about Das Rheingold?
Many of this production’s features were highly controversial: the opening of Das Rheingold revealed a vast hydro-electric dam in which the gold is stored, guarded by the Rhinemaidens who were portrayed, in Spotts’s words, as “three voluptuous tarts” – a depiction, he says, which “caused a shock from which no one quite recovered”.
What inspired Wagner to write Das Rheingold?
Thus, Das Rheingold was his first attempt to adopt the principles set out in Opera and Drama. According to his memoirs, Wagner’s first inspiration for the music came to him in a half-dream, on 4 September 1853, while he was in Spezia in Italy.
What did Wagner say about the Rhinemaidens in his diary?
^ Cosima Wagner’s diary entry for 12 February 1883 records that, on the night before he died, Wagner played the Rhinemaidens’ lament on the piano, telling her: “I feel loving towards them, these subservient creatures of the deep, with all their yearning”. ^ Gutman 1971, p. 175. ^ a b Holman 2001, p.
Which characters in Das Rheingold sing’the ring’?
Many of the Ring ‘ s characters – Wotan, Froh, Alberich, Fasolt and Erda in Das Rheingold – either sing this phrase or are orchestrally referenced by it.
When the complete Der Ring des Nibelungen is performed it lasts about how long?
about 15 hours
The cycle is a work of extraordinary scale. Perhaps the most outstanding facet of the monumental work is its sheer length: a full performance of the cycle takes place over four nights at the opera, with a total playing time of about 15 hours, depending on the conductor’s pacing.
Who wrote The Ring of the Nibelung?
Richard WagnerDer Ring des Nibelungen / ComposerWilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, theatre director, polemicist, and conductor who is chiefly known for his operas. Unlike most opera composers, Wagner wrote both the libretto and the music for each of his stage works. Wikipedia
Who was the librettist for the Ring Cycle?
Richard WagnerDer Ring des Nibelungen / LibrettistWilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, theatre director, polemicist, and conductor who is chiefly known for his operas. Unlike most opera composers, Wagner wrote both the libretto and the music for each of his stage works. Wikipedia
How long does Wagner’s Ring cycle last?
Completed in 1874, Richard Wagner’s legendary Ring cycle consists of four individual operas – Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung – and totals about 15 hours of music.
When was Wagner’s Ring cycle written?
1857Der Ring des Nibelungen / Written
What is so special about Wagner?
Richard Wagner was one of the world’s most influential — and controversial — composers. He is famous for both his epic operas, including the four-part, 18-hour Ring Cycle, as well as for his anti-semitic writings, which, posthumously, made him a favorite of Adolf Hitler.
What did Richard Wagner do?
Richard Wagner was a German composer, theatre director, polemicist, and conductor who is primarily known for his operas (or, as some of his later works were later known, “music dramas”). Unlike most opera composers, Wagner wrote both the libretto and the music for each of his stage works.
What does the word Nibelung mean?
Definition of Nibelung 1 : a member of a race of dwarfs in Germanic legend. 2 : any of the followers of Siegfried. 3 : any of the Burgundian kings in the medieval German Nibelungenlied.
How long does it take to watch all of Wagner’s the Ring?
Yes, the “Ring” cycle lasts 17 hours. But that’s over several days, with days off between each of the four operas and long breaks after every act. By today’s standards, Wagnerians are wimps.
Is the Ring cycle safes real?
While German composer Richard Wagner was a real person, Hans Wagner (not to be confused with the Danish designer Hans Wegner) is entirely fictitious. It also means his four safes are also fake.
Why was the Ring cycle so important?
The Ring changed the musical language of opera, effectively doing away with the musical structures such as recitative, aria, duets and larger ensembles that had constituted the dramaturgy of the art form.
How long does Wagner’s ring cycle last?
What is Wagner’s most famous piece that is know today?
Ride of the Valkyries – Die Walküre ‘Ride of the Valkyries’ is not only one of Wagner’s most recognisable pieces of music, but one of the most popular opera songs in the whole canon.
What is the meaning of Wagner?
wagon driver
Wagner is derived from the Germanic surname Waganari, meaning “wagonmaker” or “wagon driver”. The Wagner surname is German. The name is also well established in Scandinavia, the Netherlands, eastern Europe, and elsewhere as well as in all German-speaking countries, and among Ashkenazi Jews.
How do you pronounce Nibelung?
Phonetic spelling of Nibelung
- ni-belung.
- nee-buh-loo ng. Wilburn Goldner.
- Ni-belung.
- NIHBEHLAH-NG.
Where is Nibelung?
Although Nibelungs refers to the royal family of the Burgundians in the second half of the Nibelunglenlied (as well as in many other texts), in the first half Nibelungenlant it is instead a kingdom on the borders of Norway of which Siegfried becomes the ruler.