Gotterdammerung
"A dark day dawns for the gods" in the final opera of Wagner's epic Ring cycle. The brand-new production for the Royal Opera House is presented from Covent Garden by Stephanie Hughes , in conversation with producer Keith Warner , conductor Antonio Pappano and the three lead singers: John Treleaven , John Tomlinson and Lisa Gasteen.
Prologue and Act 1 Siegfried, sent off on deeds of valour by his wife Brunnhilde (daughter of Wotan), turns up at the castle of the Gibichungs where Hagen lives with his half-siblings Gunther and Gutrune, who are plotting to obtain the gold ring of power. Siegfried is drugged with a magic potion and tricked into falling for Gutrune; he agrees to bring Brunnhilde as a wife for Gunther.
Royal Opera House Chorus and Orchestra, conductor Antonio Pappano Acti
8.15 Act 2 Brunnhilde is furious and helps
Hagen and Gunther to plot Siegfried's murder.
9.45 Act 3 Hagen kills Siegfried and Gunther, and Brunnhilde rides into Siegfried's funeral pyre with the ring on her finger. Thus the Rhinemaidens get their gold back, the Rhine itself overflows, Valhalla burns, and the old order of the gods is destroyed.
RT DIRECT: A complete recording (14 CDs) of Wagner's Ring cycle, featuring the Badische State Chorus and Orchestra conducted by GOnter Neuhold, is available for E23 including p&p. To order please send a cheque, payable to Selections, to: Selections, [address removed], or phone: [number removed] (national rate), or visit www.selections.com/rtdirect. Quote ref: [text removed]