The Ring of the Nibelung | Second day

RICHARD WAGNER (1813–1883)
In German language. With surtitles.
Libretto: by the composer
First performance: 1876 in Bayreuth

“Siegfried is divine. It is my greatest work!” wrote Wagner, enthusiastic about his own creature, to King Ludwig II. Siegfried, the powerful hero and childish fool, is supposed to heal the rift in the order of things and thus finally free Wotan from all contractual shackles and power struggles. The fact that Siegfried became the epitome of the master race in the 20th century is a chapter that cannot be separated from today’s view of opera. At the same time, the second evening of the “Ring” also stands for one of the greatest love stories in opera: Siegfried’s most difficult test – no comparison to winning the Nibelung hoard and the cursed Ring – is his encounter with Wotan’s Valkyrie daughter Brünnhilde. Siegfried fearlessly crosses the ring of fire in which Wotan has hidden his daughter in a deep sleep, only to learn to fear the awakening Brünnhilde. The two fall in love with each other. For Wagner, the revolution that Siegfried represents and which finally puts an end to an outdated world order was fruitful and creative: “Siegfried has guiltlessly taken on the guilt of the gods, he atones for their injustice through his defiance, his independence.”

PREMIERE: 2 April 2017