Original version

BBC Four

BBC 4

BBC Four HD

Wagner's Ring Cycle

Opera North

The Space

Richard Farnes

Peter Mumford

Nikki Weston

Michael Druiett

Wolfgang Ablinger-Sperrhacke

Jo Pohlheim

Yvonne Howard

Richard Roberts

Giselle Allen

Andrew Foster-Williams

Mark Le Brocq

James Creswell

Mats Almgren

Claudia Huckle

Jeni Bern

Madeleine Shaw

Sarah Castle

Wagner's Ring Cycle: Episode 1: Part 1 - Das Rheingold

Performances & Events

Music: Classical

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

Das Rheingold

Episode 1

Episode 1: Part 1 - Das Rheingold

Part 1 - Das Rheingold

BBC Four - Wagner's Ring Cycle, Part 1 - Das Rheingold

The dwarf Alberich steals a priceless treasure and uses it to forge a magic ring.

Das Rheingold establishes Wagner's cycle, beginning with music that evokes the very dawn of time. The dwarf Alberich steals a priceless treasure and uses it to forge a magic ring.

The first of the four music dramas in Richard Wagner's monumental Ring cycle, in a radically stripped-back, critically acclaimed production by Opera North. Filmed during live performances in 2016, this is total immersion in a unique, all-encompassing music drama.

Set in a world populated by dwarfs and giants, gods and river-maidens, Das Rheingold establishes the cycle in thrilling fashion, beginning with music that evokes the very dawn of time.

The dwarf Alberich renounces love and steals the Rhinegold, a priceless treasure, from the River Rhine. He uses it to forge a magic ring which confers wealth and power on its owner, drawing the attention of Wotan, king of the gods. In need of gold to pay for his new fortress Valhalla, Wotan takes the ring from Alberich, setting in motion an epic conflict between love and power.

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Wagner's monumental music drama, in a critically acclaimed production by Opera North.

Richard Wagner's monumental music drama, in a radically stripped-back, critically acclaimed production by Opera North. Filmed during live performances in 2016.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Wagner's Ring Cycle

Episode 1: Part 1 - Das Rheingold

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Series

BBC Four

About BBC Four