Richard Wagner
»Das Rheingold« Richard Wagner »Das Rheingold«

The Plot of the Opera

First Scene
At the bottom of the Rhine

A primordial world populated by gods and elemental beings: in the waves, the Rhinemaidens Woglinde, Wellgunde, and Floßhilde frolic as they guard the magical treasure, the Rhinegold. When the lustful dwarf Alberich rises from the depths of the earth and pursues them, the nymphs merely mock him. A ray of sunlight illuminates the Rhinegold, and the careless Rhinemaidens reveal its secret: “He to whom the world’s wealth shall belong is he who from the Rhinegold forges the Ring that grants boundless power.” But only he who renounces love can forge it. Alberich, derided and humiliated, resolves to do exactly that and steals the treasure. As the underwater world darkens, he vows to forge the “avenging Ring” and, by trading love for power, become a plutocrat.

Second Scene
Open space on mountain heights

To secure his claim to rule the world, Wotan, father of the gods, has had the fortress of Valhalla built. As payment, he has promised the giants Fasolt and Fafner Freia, the goddess of spring (and of love). Against his better judgment – for Freia tends the golden apples that grant the gods eternal youth. Wotan’s attempt to fob off the giants fails. In destructive self-deception, he looks to the clever idea that his advisor Loge is expected to provide, and Loge indeed offers a “solution”: Wotan is to pay the giants with the stolen Rhinegold. They accept the bargain and take Freia with them as a hostage. No sooner have the giants departed than the gods feel the consequences: without Freia’s youth-giving apples, they begin to age rapidly. Time is running short, so Wotan and Loge descend into Alberich’s underground realm to steal the Rhinegold from him.

Third Scene
Nibelheim

With the power of the Ring, Alberich tyrannises his people, the Nibelungs, and forces them to mine ever more gold. He torments his brother Mime as well. Mime must forge him a Tarnhelm, a magic helmet that allows its wearer to change shape or become invisible. Mime wants to keep the “metalwork” for himself, but Alberich does not permit it. He tests the magic and beats his brother while remaining unseen. With the Tarnhelm, he can also keep even closer watch over the Nibelungs, who must amass ever-greater riches for him. Wotan and Loge encounter Mime, who tells them of Alberich’s tyranny, and through a ruse they coax Alberich into demonstrating his powers of transformation. Although he distrusts the gods, Alberich becomes a victim of his own boastfulness: when he shows off the Tarnhelm, he first transforms into a giant serpent and then into a tiny toad – which Loge and Wotan easily capture.

Fourth Scene
Open space on mountain heights

Back in the cloudy heights, Alberich is forced to exchange all his treasures for his freedom, including the Tarnhelm and the Ring – over which he casts a curse: “He who owns it shall be consumed by care, and he who owns it not shall be eaten by envy! All shall covet its wealth, yet none shall enjoy it to their gain.” The giants return with Freia and demand that the gold be piled high enough to cover her completely. When a glint of her hair is still visible, the Tarnhelm is thrown onto the heap. They then demand the Ring as well, which Wotan relinquishes only after a dark warning from the all-knowing earth goddess Erda. She foretells the twilight of the gods, their end. Alberich’s curse reveals its power at once: the giants quarrel over the hoard, and Fafner kills his brother Fasolt. As the gods enter Valhalla, the Rhinemaidens lament the loss of the gold: “False and cowardly is what rejoices up there!” No injustice can be undone by further injustice. And Loge, too, foresees the beginning of the end of the world of the gods: “They hasten toward their own doom.”