Unique in the history of opera, The Ring of the Nibelung is the colossal tetralogy Richard Wagner worked on for thirty years.
First performed in , the Prologue The Rhinegold unveils from its first telluric chord a world riddled with existential questions. Who will obtain the power of the ring forged from the gold of the Rhine? The gods, the giants or the Nibelungen? Borrowing from Norse and Germanic mythology, Wagner conceived an extraordinary cycle that reflected his innovative ambition: to create a total work of art inspired by ancient tragedy. As well as revolutionising the art of opera, he also devised theatrical material open to multiple interpretations.
Director Calixto Bieito places The Rhinegold in a context dominated by digital virtuality and questions the impact of technology and science on human beings. Duration : 2h30 no interval. Language : German. First part min. Previous events Wotan has asked Fafner and Fasolt to build him a palace in order to consolidate his position of power. As a reward, he has promised them his sister-in-law Freia, who guarantees eternal youth and beauty.
Scene 1 Alberich avidly approaches the three Rhinemaidens who, initially seductive, toy with him before brutally humiliating him. In the process, they unwittingly reveal to Alberich the secret of the gold they are meant to guard: only he who forsakes love can forge from the Rhine gold the ring that confers absolute power.
Since he dreams of social ascension and wealth, Alberich curses love and steals the gold. Now that the brothers Fafner and Fasolt have finished building his palace, his wife Fricka is worried about her sister Freia. She furiously accuses her husband of sacrificing everything to his thirst for power and demands that he protect Freia. Fafner and Fasolt arrive promptly to demand their contractually agreed wages.
