Richard Wagner's epic cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen draws to a close.
In the final opera of Wagner's epic cycle, the Ring cycle begins with the three Norns reviewing the thread of destiny and recalling Alberich’s curse on the ring. Still smitten, Siegfried gives the ring to Brünnhilde as a token of his love before embarking on further heroic quests. He is soon duped by King Gunther and his half-brother Hagen (son of Alberich) into forgetting his love for Brünnhilde and promising her to Gunther in exchange for his sister’s hand in marriage. A shape-shifting Siegfried visits Brünnhilde, forcibly takes the ring, and brings her down from the ledge to a contentious wedding feast where accusations, miscommunications, and traitorous plotting ensue. Just as Hagen’s murderous plan is carried out, Siegfried recalls his true love for Brünnhilde, now fully aware of the truth also. She takes the ring from his finger, orders the construction of a grand funeral pyre, and walks into the flames to be reunited with him in death. The river overflows, the Rhinemaidens recover the ring, Valhalla burns, and the kingdom of the gods is destroyed. Brünnhilde’s sacrifice has cleansed the ring and restored the natural order.
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RUNNING TIME
4 hours and 45 minutes
with three intermissions
PRE-PERFORMANCE LECTURE
One hour prior to each performance.
Pre-performance lectures are generously sponsored by the Flora L. Thornton Foundation and the Opera League of Los Angeles.
PRODUCTION NOTES
Company Premiere
New Production
UNDERWRITER(S)
LA Opera’s new production of
Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle made possible by
THE ELI AND EDYTHE BROAD FOUNDATION
with additional generous support from
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and
LA Opera’s Friends of the Ring Leadership Council
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