
Wagner: Das Rheingold
Released

Story
This is a beautifully conducted and thoughtfully staged performance of the first opera (the prologue) in Wagner's Ring Cycle. As soon as the clouds of mist have dissipated, while the daring, long-held opening chord is still reverberating, the screen clears to show not only the River Rhine and the three maidens (dressed like prostitutes in this production) assigned to guard the gold hidden there. It also shows an enormous dam (not mentioned in Wagner's text). This is the underwater base of a hydroelectric plant, and its presence tells us two things immediately: that this production takes the story out of the vaguely medieval fantasy world in which Wagner had placed it, and that a basic theme of the four-opera cycle would be power. Alberich, the Nibelung, is willing to renounce the love of women, after stealing the gold from the Rhine, to become the ruler of the world. Another basic theme is greed.
Directors
Brian Large, Patrice Chéreau,
Writers
Tags
Casts
You may like

Die Geierwally
movie

Behind the door
movie

S.S. 'Coptic' in the Harbor
movie

Wallander: The Container Lorry
movie

Cassandro the Exotico
movie

Black Sun
movie

Carnival of Colours
movie

The Path to Redemption
movie
Beyond Our Differences
movie

East/West: Sex & Politics
movie

Growing Young
movie

A Rock and a Hard Place
movie
The Tree of Life
movie
Radiant Fireplace 2
movie
Mimi
movie

Road Rage
movie

The Meeting of the Ways
movie

The Guiding Light
movie