Das Rheingold
The first opera in Der Ring des Nibelungen introduces Wagner's vast, mythical world. Keith Warner's rich production combines the epic and the contemporary.
Photos
Introduction
The dwarf Alberich steals the Rhinegold, guarded by the daughters of the Rhine, and forges a ring that brings him infinite power. Wotan, ruler of the gods, plans to seize the dangerous ring – but to what end?
Background
Richard Wagner’s four-opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen was both the consummation of German Romantic opera and the beginning of a whole new style of opera-music drama. It lasts over fifteen hours in its entirety and provides an unparalleled musical and dramatic experience. Das Rheingold was conceived as a ‘prelude’ to the cycle. It was first performed in Munich in 1869.
Das Rheingold begins with a musical representation of the river Rhine – envisaged in Keith Warner’s production as a depiction of the Big Bang. The destructive power of the ring is expressed using images from 20th-century science, such as the dwarf Alberich’s nightmarish, underground laboratories. In contrast, the gods are a dying breed: their foppish costumes and mountain-top hall are inspired by the late-Victorian period. Musical highlights include Wotan and Loge’s descent to Nibelheim, accompanied by the resounding sound of 18 anvils, and the gods’ triumphant entrance to Valhalla, which is tragically undercut by the sound of the mournful Rhinedaughters lamenting their lost gold.
The Ring Cycle
This production is part of The Ring Cycle
Thanks to
Originally made possible by
The Dalriada Trust
How to support the Royal Opera House
Running time
About 2 hours 40 minutes | No interval
Language
Sung in German with English surtitles
Credits
| Director | Keith Warner |
| Set designs | Stefanos Lazaridis |
| Costume designs | Marie-Jeanne Lecca |
| Lighting design | Wolfgang Göbbel |
| Original Movement Director | Claire Glaskin |
| Video | Mic Pool |
| Video | Dick Straker |
| Associate Set Designer | Matthew Deely |
Related links
- www.rohcollections.org.uk Costume, design & photographic collections - Das Rheingold
- en.wikipedia.org Wikipedia: Das Rheingold
- www.bbc.co.uk Kasper Holten on the enormity of The Ring
- www.bbc.co.uk What is 'The Ring' about? - An Introduction
