Overview
Synopsis
Die Walküre is the second opera of Wagner’s epic Der Ring des Nibelungen, commonly known as ‘The Ring Cycle’. Some time after the events of Das Rheingold, Wotan is still obsessed with regaining the ring of power, made from the magic gold found in the Rhine, which he lost to the giant Fafner. He is also incredibly paranoid that the nibelung Alberich will get the ring before him, and seek vengeance for Wotan taking it from him. In the time since, he has been building an army of heroes to protect Valhalla, his kingdom, with the help of his nine Valkyrie daughters. He has also had two children with a mortal woman, intending to use his son, Siegmund, to rescue the ring from Fafner.
That is where the story of Die Walküre starts, with Siegmund meeting Sieglinde for the first time. Twins, separated at birth, and unknown to each other, they bond the moment their eyes meet, and fall deeply in love with each other. Siegmund helps Sieglinde escape from her violent marriage to Hunding, and faces him in battle. Wotan intends to help Siegmund, and sends Brünnhilde, one of his Valkyrie daughters, into battle to ensure his success. However, Wotan’s wife, Fricka, is the goddess of marriage, and is appalled at the things Wotan is allowing to happen. Fricka abhors Sieglinde and Siegmund’s adulterous and incestous relationship, and she forces Wotan to let Siegmund die.
Wotan changes Brünnhilde’s orders, and instructs her not to help Siegmund in the battle, but Brünnhilde still tries to help him. At the crucial moment of the battle, Wotan takes away the magic from Siegmund’s sword, and Siegmund falls under Hunding’s spearblow. Brünnhilde grabs Sieglinde, and runs away with her, determined to protect her and her unborn child. Brünnhilde is punished for her disobedience, and Wotan leaves her sleeping on the mountainside, as prey for any man who wants her.
This epic fantasy, with giants, dragons, gods, and mythical Valkyries that ride winged horses, is spurred on by an immense score, and includes one of the most famous scenes in all opera: the Ride of the Valkyries.
Show Information
- Music
- Richard Wagner
- Libretto
- Richard Wagner
- Category
- Opera
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 3
- First Produced
- 1870
- Genres
- Fairy Tale/Fantasy
- Settings
- Fantasy/Imaginary, Multiple Settings, Spectacle
- Time & Place
- Mythological, Germany
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- None
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- Large Cast, Mature Audiences, Mostly Female Cast, Professional Opera, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Die Walküre is the second opera of Wagner’s epic Der Ring des Nibelungen, commonly known as ‘The Ring Cycle’. It follows Das Rheingold, and precedes Siegfried and Götterdämmerung. Die Walküre was first performed in 1870, and just six years later, in 1876, the complete Ring Cycle was first performed.
It is no surprise that there are some similarities between the Ring Cycle, and Tolkien’s epic _The Lord of the
to read the context for Die Walküre and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
Act One
Seeking shelter from a tremendous storm, unarmed and running from his enemies, Siegmund spots a house built around a huge ash tree. Seeing no one inside, he enters to rest a moment in front of the fire (‘Wes Herd dies auch sei’). Nervous to find a stranger in her house, Sieglinde speaks out gently but gets no response at first. Siegmund is too exhausted to move, and without looking up, simply asks her for some water. Sieglinde quickly obliges.
As Siegmund takes the drink
to read the plot for Die Walküre and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
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Lead |
Male |
Bass-Baritone |
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Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
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Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
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Lead |
Female |
Soprano |
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Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
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Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
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Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
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Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
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Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Contralto |
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Supporting |
Female |
Soprano |
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Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
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Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano, Contralto |
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Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
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Supporting |
Male |
Bass |
Songs
Act One
- Vorspiel
Scene One
- Wes Herd dies auch sei (Siegmund, Sieglinde)
- Einen Unseligen labtest du (Siegmund, Sieglinde)
Scene Two
- Müd am Herd fand ich den Mann (Sieglinde, Hunding, Siegmund)
- Friedmund darf ich nicht heissen (Siegmund, Hunding, Sieglinde)
- Die so leidig Los dir bescheid (Hunding, Sieglinde, Siegmund)
- Ich weiss ein wildes Geschlecht (Hunding)
Scene Three
- Ein Schwert verhieß mir der Vater (Siegmund)
- Schläfst du, Gast? (Sieglinde, Siegmund)
- Winterstürme wichen dem Wonnemond (Siegmund)
- Du bist der Lenz (Sieglinde)
- O susseste Wonne! O seligstes Weib! (Siegmund, Sieglinde)
- War Wälse dein Vater, und bist du ein Walsung (Sieglinde, Siegmund)
- Siegmund, den Walsung, siehst du, Weib! (Siegmund, Sieglinde)
Act Two
- Vorspiel
Scene One
- Nun zäume dein Ross, reisige Maid! (Wotan)
- Hojotoho! Hojotoho! (Brünnhilde)
- Der alte Sturm, die alte Muh'! (Wotan, Fricka)
- So ist es denn aus mit den ewigen Göttern (Fricka, Wotan)
- Was verlangst du? (Wotan, Fricka, Brünnhilde)
- Deiner ew'gen Gattin heilige Ehre (Fricka, Wotan)
Scene Two
- Schlimm, fürcht' ich, schloss der Streit (Brünnhilde, Wotan)
- Ein andres ist's (Wotan, Brünnhilde)
- So nimmst du von Siegmund den Sieg? (Brünnhilde, Wotan)
- So nimm meinen Segen, Niblungen-Sohn! (Wotan, Brünnhilde)
- So sah ich Siegvater nie (Brünnhilde)
Scene Three
- Raste nun hier; gönne dir Ruh'! (Siegmund, Sieglinde)
Scene Four
- Siegmund! Sieh auf mich! (Brünnhilde, Siegmund)
- Du sahest der Walküre sehrenden Blick (Brünnhilde, Siegmund)
- So jung und schon erschimmerst du mir (Siegmund, Brünnhilde)
Scene Five
- Zauberfest bezähmt ein Schlaf (Siegmund)
- Der dort mich ruft, ruste sich nun (Siegmund, Sieglinde, Hunding, Brünnhilde, Wotan)
- Zu Ross, dass ich dich rette! (Brünnhilde, Wotan)
Act Three
Scene One
- Hojotoho! Hojotoho! "Ride of the Valkyries" (The Valkyries)
- Schützt mich und helft in höchster Not! (Brünnhilde, The Valkyries)
- Nicht sehre dich Sorge um mich (Sieglinde, Brünnhilde, The Valkyries, Wotan)
Scene Two
- Wo ist Brünnhild', wo die Verbrecherin? (Wotan, The Valkyries, Brünnhilde)
- Hier bin ich, Vater: gebiete die Strafe! (Brünnhilde, Wotan, The Valkyries)
Scene Three
- Einleitung
- War es so schmählich, was ich verbrach (Brünnhilde, Wotan)
- So tatest du, was so gern zu tun ich begehrt (Wotan, Brünnhilde)
- Nicht streb', o Maid, den Mut mir zu storen (Wotan, Brünnhilde)
- Leb' wohl, du kuhnes, herrliches Kind! "Wotan's Farewell" (Wotan)
- Der Augen leuchtendes Paar (Wotan)
- Loge, hor'! Lausche hieher! (Wotan)
- Feuerzauber / Magic Fire Music
- Wer meines Speeres Spitze fürchtet (Wotan)
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
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Guide Written By:
Wendy Silvester
Singer and vocal coach based in the UK.