Wagner: Das Rheingold

Directed by Brian Large
1980    2h 26minMúsica
7.1
This is a beautifully conducted and thoughtfully staged performance of the first opera (the prologue) in Wagner's Ring Cycle. As soon as the clouds of mist have dissipated, while the daring, long-held opening chord is still reverberating, the screen clears to show not only the River Rhine and the three maidens (dressed like prostitutes in this production) assigned to guard the gold hidden there. It also shows an enormous dam (not mentioned in Wagner's text). This is the underwater base of a hydroelectric plant, and its presence tells us two things immediately: that this production takes the story out of the vaguely medieval fantasy world in which Wagner had placed it, and that a basic theme of the four-opera cycle would be power. Alberich, the Nibelung, is willing to renounce the love of women, after stealing the gold from the Rhine, to become the ruler of the world. Another basic theme is greed.

Where to Watch Wagner: Das Rheingold

  • Pierre BoulezSelf - Conductor / Music Director
  • Donald McIntyreWotan
  • Martin EgelDonner
  • Siegfried JerusalemFroh
  • Heinz ZednikLoge
  • Hermann BechtAlberich
  • Helmut PampuchMime
  • Matti SalminenFasolt
  • Ilse GramatzkiWellgunde
  • Fritz HübnerFafner
  • Carmen ReppelFreia
  • Marga SchimlFlosshilde
  • Hanna SchwarzFricka
  • Norma SharpWoglinde
  • Ortrun WenkelErda
  • Brian LargeDirector
  • Richard WagnerEscritor / Compositor de música original
  • Patrice ChéreauStage Director

Wagner: Das Rheingold Trivia

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