A journey to another realm begins
Das Rheingold introduces the central characters and themes, which are developed further as the story continues. According to Wagner, Das Rheingold was “the preliminary evening of a stage festival play”.
Das Rheingold introduces the central characters and themes, which are developed further as the story continues. According to Wagner, Das Rheingold was “the preliminary evening of a stage festival play”.
Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelungs), also called the Ring cycle, is an opera tetralogy composed by Richard Wagner. Ever since this extraordinary work saw its world premiere in Bayreuth in 1876, it’s been counted among the greatest artistic achievements of Western culture. The Ring is based on ancient German and Nordic tales. The four operas are set in a mythical world, but their themes are equally pertinent in the modern day.
Alberich steals the gold guarded by the Rheinmaidens from the river Rhein. He renounces love and forges the gold into a ring, which will give its bearer unlimited power. Wotan, the ruler of the gods, however, also longs for absolute power.
Recommended for children over the age of 12.
Photos: Ralph Larmann and Stefan Bremer
– Anna Kelo, Director
The live stream was produced in cooperation with the Finnish broadcasting company Yle.
Photo: Ralph Larmann
Photo: Stefan Bremer
In payment for building the castle Valhalla, the giants Fafner and Fasolt demand that the ruler of the gods Wotan surrender either the goddess of youth Freia or the golden treasure stolen by the dwarf Alberich from the maidens of the Rhine. Wotan uses his cunning to secure the gold for himself instead. Alberich’s brother Mime has used the gold to fashion a magic helmet which allows the wearer to
change shape. Wotan entices Alberich to prove its transformative powers by changing into a toad. Alberich is easily trapped and forced to give up his treasure. He bitterly puts a death curse on the ring. The giants are given the Rhine gold in exchange for Freia, whom they have kidnapped, but Alberich’s curse soon takes effect. They begin to fight over the treasure and Fafner ultimately kills Fasolt.
A full synopsis and background information are available in the programme booklet.
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Season tickets 2019–2020 are sold out.
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Please note that this performance has no intermission. The services of the Opera Restaurant are available before performance.
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The purpose of Esa-Pekka Salonen's fund is to support new opera and ballet arts with a particular focus on technology. The fund provides financial support as well as awards, grants and stipends to individuals involved in the work of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet. It supports commissions of new compositions and multimedia productions, as well as other projects in line with the fund’s purpose. The fund may also make donations to the Foundation of the Finnish National Opera and Ballet
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