Theater: Das Rheingold

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Das Rheingold

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Come get your tickets to see one of the most powerful German operas to ever hit the stage - get your tickets to see Das Rheingold. This powerful story maintains the relationships of the Gods as described in Norse mythology and Wagner has used a number of techniques that make this opera unique.

Das Rheingold or The Rhine Gold was written by Richard Wagner and was first performed at the Munich Court Theater in 1869. It is the first opera in the four operas that form the Der Ring des Nibelungen or The Ring of the Nibelung. In many ways, parallels can be drawn between this opera and the famous Lord of the Rings trilogy.

One of the most unique aspects of the opera occurs at the very beginning- it is an un-modulating prelude in the E flat chord and it symbolizes the unchanging motion of the River Rhine. It is said that Wagner hit upon this technique while half asleep. As the music grows, the curtain rises on three Rhine maidens who are playing at the bottom of the river. Suddenly a dwarf named Alberich appears and tries to court them. But the Rhine Maidens laugh at him and are taken aback by his ugliness. Alberich is angered by their mockery when he notices something glittering. The maidens tell him it is the Rhine Gold and he who renounces love can make a ring out of the gold that will make him ruler of the world. Already embittered by the maiden's mockery, Alberich seizes the gold.

In the meantime, the giants have come demanding Wotan's sister Freia in exchange for the castle they have built for Wotan. Wotan was hoping he would get out of the bargain but he realizes he is bound by treaties. Suddenly the cunning God Loge enters and explains what has happened under the Rhine. The giants demand the ring as payment instead and take Freia hostage in the meantime. Without Freia's magic apples the Gods begin to age and so Loge is sent underground to find Alberich.

Loge and Wotan ultimately trick Alberich out of his gold and the ring, but not before Alberich places a curse on the ring, stating that everyone will desire it and he who has it will be unhappy and die. Still Wotan takes the ring and offers the giants enough gold to completely hide Freia from view. This ploy does not work and the giants demand the ring when suddenly Erda, the Earth Godess appears and tells Wotan to give up the ring. Wotan does so and immediately the giants fight over it and one is killed while the other disappears with the gold.

In the end, the Gods go to their new castle, all except Loge who already knows that the end of the Gods is nigh. Meanwhile the Rhine Maidens mourn the loss of their gold. Don't miss your chance to see this legendary opera- contact your online ticket vendor now and book your tickets for Das Rheingold.