"Der Ring des Nibelungen" Erster Tag Die Walküre

SYNOPSIS

As the title "Die Walküre" (The Valkyrie) - the title in German meaning the war-maiden is in singular form with a definite article - suggests, "Die Walküre" is a tale that follows Brünnhilde's growth, who was born between Wotan, ruler of the gods, and Erda, earth goddess.Wotan intends to have Siegmund, his son by a mortal woman, win back the Ring to rule the world. Fricka, wife of Wotan and also goddess of marriage, becomes so infuriated at the fact that Siegmund has committed incest with Sieglinde, his twin sister, who is married to Hunding, as to ruin Wotan's plan. Wotan's favorite daughter, Brünnhilde, tells Siegmund of his impending death according to her father's order. But she gets deeply moved by Siegmund's life where he values love the most. She then promises to take his side in a duel to fight with Hunding.However, interrupted by Wotan, the battle results in Siegmund's death. Sieglinde escapes and goes off into a forest, carrying with an unborn child fathered by Siegmund. The disobedient Brünnhilde must get punished for defying Wotan's order. Then she tries to persuade Wotan to understand Sieglinde's commited love and to realize that this has been Wotan's sincere wish.Her punishment is that she will be forced for a long sleep, shorn of divinity and defenseless on the Valkyrie rock until claimed by the first man that wakes her. She pleads passionately for one grace: let her rocky resting place be guarded by fierce flames so that only a dauntless hero may penetrate the barrier and claim her as his bride. Wotan complies with his favorite daughter's plea and bids eternal farewell to her, ordaining that he who proposes marriage to his daughter should be a freer man (Siegfried) than the god who is her father.