Götterdämmerung – August 14

And so we reach the end of the epic struggle between gods, mortals, and the occasional interloper from the animal kingdom, as Wagner's Ring Cycle at Seattle Opera reaches the final part, Act IV - Die Götterdämmerung (Twilight of the Gods).

Obviously, I'll be in a better position to reflect on my first ever Ring Cycle after tonight, and I'll give my impressions and risk the ire of some opera elitists, by either not agreeing with their every view, or not being vicious enough in my criticism of certain performers. Am I qualified to write that someone performed a role appallingly? No, of course not. This is my first Ring Cycle. And you only get one chance to write about your experiences of your first Cycle. But yes, I noticed what you noticed, just on this occasion I am choosing to focus on what I really enjoyed. However, those of you with more Cycles under your belt are free to use the comments section for free and respectful debate.

So what's coming up tonight? Let's start with the story. Caution - Contains Spoilers!!

The Plot

Part 4 of the Ring cycle begins with the three Norns reviewing the thread of destiny and recalling Alberich’s curse on the ring. Still smitten, Siegfried gives the ring to Brünnhilde as a token of his love before embarking on further heroic quests. He is soon duped by King Gunther and his half-brother Hagen (son of Alberich) into forgetting his love for Brünnhilde and promising her to Gunther in exchange for his sister’s hand in marriage. A shape-shifting Siegfried visits Brünnhilde, forcibly takes the ring, and brings her down from the ledge to a contentious wedding feast where accusations, miscommunications, and traitorous plotting ensue. Just as Hagen’s murderous plan is carried out, Siegfried recalls his true love for Brünnhilde, now fully aware of the truth also. She takes the ring from his finger, orders the construction of a grand funeral pyre, and walks into the flames to be reunited with him in death. The river overflows, the Rhine daughters recover the ring, Valhalla burns, and the kingdom of the gods is destroyed. Brünnhilde’s sacrifice has cleansed the ring and restored the natural order.

ACT I - At the Gibichung castle, he encounters Gunther, Gunther’s sister Gutrune, and their half-brother Hagen (whose father is Alberich). Urged on by Hagen, Gunther and Gutrune give Siegfried a drink that makes him forget Brünnhilde and fall in love with Gutrune. Once the potion has worked, Gunther tells Siegfried about the goddess enclosed by flames and asks for Siegfried’s help in winning her. In return, Gunther pledges to allow Siegfried to marry Gutrune. No longer remembering Brünnhilde, Siegfried agrees. Brünnhilde, back at her mountain home, refuses the plea of her sister Waltraute to relinquish the ring given to her by Siegfried. Disguised as Gunther, Siegfried comes through the flames, takes the ring from Brünnhilde, and claims her as Gunther’s bride.

ACT II - When the true Gunther takes her back to the Gibichungs and she sees Siegfried, Brünnhilde’s rage knows no bounds. Siegfried swears on Hagen’s spear that he does not know her, and Brünnhilde swears that Hagen’s spear will avenge her. She and Hagen convince Gunther to plan Siegfried’s death.

ACT III - The next day, at a hunt organized by Gunther, Siegfried tells his life story to the other men. Hagen gives him a drink that restores his memory. When Siegfried sings of Brünnhilde, Hagen stabs him in the back with his spear. When the hunting party returns to Brünnhilde sees Siegfried’s body, she resolves to return the ring to the Rhine and end its curse. She takes the ring from Siegfried’s hand and plunges into his funeral pyre. The funeral flames spread to burn Valhalla and destroy the gods. The ring is restored to the Rhine, and Brünnhilde’s sacrifice begins the world afresh.

What am I looking out for?

Obviously, this is a very personal view, and I understand people with varying levels of Ring Cycle experience will be watching for other aspects. Firstly, I want to see Stig Andersen exhibit a full recovery from the lingering effects of Wednesday's virus and give us a Siegfried that we will all remember. He carries with him the goodwill of the hall. Although I don't get any more Dennis Petersen, as Mime was cruelly murdered, Richard Paul Fink is back as the scheming dwarf Alberich. The audience has taken to him, and so have I.

The three Rheinmaidens are back, and Margaret Jane Wray and Stephanie Blythe take the roles of Norns 2 and 3. No Greer Grimsley tonight but I hope he does come out and get a round of applause at the end.

The Cast

Brünnhilde: Janice Baird
Siegfried: Stig Andersen †
Hagen: Daniel Sumegi
Gunther: Gordon Hawkins
Gutrune: Marie Plette
Alberich: Richard Paul Fink
First Norn: Luretta Bybee
Second Norn: Stephanie Blythe