Synopsis
Part of the Wagner ring cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen. Siegfried, the child of Sieglinde and Siegmund, has been brought up after the death of his parents by Mime, the brother of Alberich and Nibelung. Siegfried's upbringing has been wild and free, and he has never learnt the meaning of fear. Both Wotan, now disguised as the Wanderer, and Mime seek to manipulate Siegfried for their own ends in order to regain the ring from the dragon Fafner. Siegfried forges the fragments of his father's sword and kills the dragon with it, gaining the ring without knowing its value. On accidentally tasting the dragon's blood, however, he learns how to understand the language of the Woodbird which reveals to him Mime's treachery, and then the existence of a beautiful girl asleep, surrounded by fire. This is Brunnhilde, to whom the bird now leads him. On his way, he meets the Wanderer, challenging him and breaking his spear. Wotan's power is now destroyed and he retreats to Valhalla to await the downfall of the Gods, while Siegfried goes joyfully to claim Brunnhilde. Running time approx. 5hr 30min. Sung in German with English surtitles. Running time: 6hrs (with 2 intervals)