Act I
Opening (Beg. - R4)
A storm. Note the Donner (Thunder) motifs.
Scene 2
(R15-19)
Wehwalt ("Woesome", later to be rechristened
"Siegmund") has found refuge in the home of his very enemy, Hunding,
whose wife Sieglinde - sensing an attraction to the stranger - encourages Wehwalt to stay. Hunding appears.
Scene 3a (R27-32)
Hunding grants Wehwalt asylum for the night, promising
to fight him to the death tomorrow. Alone now, Wehwalt yearns for the
sword that his father promised him in the time of his greatest need.
Scene 3b (R54 - end)
Sieglinde, having rejoined him during Hunding's sleep,
tells Wehwalt of the sword in the tree and rechristens him "Siegmund"
("Victorious").
Siegmund summons all of his strength and pulls the sword from the
tree. Siegmund and Sieglinde then flee Hunding's hut, seeking a life
together.
End of Act I
Act II
Opening (Beg. - R4)
Represents Siegmund and Sieglinde fleeing from
Hunding. The "Ride" motif here implies that Brunnhilde is following
their flight.
Scene 4 (R60-65)
Brunnhilde appears to Siegmund and informs of his
pending death, promising him all the glories of Valhalla. Siegmund
asks if he will be accompanied there by Sieglinde. Learning that will
not be, he bluntly informs her that he is not going.
Scene 5 (R79 - end)
Hunding approaches, promising to kill Siegmund. As
Siegmund plunges with his sword toward Hunding, Wotan magically
appears, and Siegmund's sword breaks upon his fabled spear, leaving
him exposed for the deadly thrust of Hunding's spear. Wotan's fierce
reprimand causes Hunding to drop dead. Brunnhilde hastily gathers the
broken sword and the unconscious Sieglinde, and flees as Wotan vents
his wrath at her disobeying his orders.
End of Act II
Act III
Opening (Beg. - R8)
"Ride of the Valkyries" Represents Brunnhilde's flight
to the Valkyrie rock with Sieglinde. The other Valkyries observe her
from afar and spur her on.
Magic Fire music (R63 - end)
Wotan, punishing Brunnhilde for disobeying him, casts
her into a magic sleep and summons Loge - the god of fire - to
encircle her with a ring of fire, from which only a brave,
pure-of-heart hero will be able to save her.fs
End of opera
Brass
Orchestral Repertoire 