Wagner: Götterdämmerung [Der Ring des Nibelungen: IV]

Opera 100

Here we write a 100-word précis of numerous opera plots. This is an ongoing and serendipitous series, the idea being to present the storyline in an instant.

by: Alexander Campbell

Siegfried leaves Brünnhilde the ring as love-token. He meets Gibichungs Gunther and Gutrune, and their half-brother Hagen, Alberich’s son. Drugged, Siegfried forgets his past. Ignoring her sister Waltraute’s warnings, Brünnhilde is captured by “Gunther”, actually Siegfried disguised by the Tarnhelm, losing the ring. Paraded before the Gibichungs Brünnhilde sees Siegfried with the ring, swearing revenge for her betrayal. Whilst hunting Siegfried is murdered by Hagen. Finally enlightened. Brünnhilde takes the ring from Siegfried’s corpse and immolates herself on his funeral pyre. As the Rhine floods the exultant Rhinemaidens reclaim their gold and Valhalla combusts ending the reign of the gods.

Opera 100

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