Wagner: Das Rheingold (1980)
This is a beautifully conducted and thoughtfully staged performance of the first opera (the prologue) in Wagner's Ring Cycle. As soon as the clouds of mist have dissipated, while the daring, long-held opening chord is still reverberating, the screen clears to show not only the River Rhine and the three maidens (dressed like prostitutes in this production) assigned to guard the gold hidden there. It also shows an enormous dam (not mentioned in Wagner's text). This is the underwater base of a hydroelectric plant, and its presence tells us two things immediately: that this production takes the story out of the vaguely medieval fantasy world in which Wagner had placed it, and that a basic theme of the four-opera cycle would be power. Alberich, the Nibelung, is willing to renounce the love of women, after stealing the gold from the Rhine, to become the ruler of the world. Another basic theme is greed.
Directors: Brian Large, Patrice Chéreau.
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Donald McIntyre as Wotan |
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Martin Egel as Donner |
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Siegfried Jerusalem as Froh |
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Heinz Zednik as Loge |
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Matti Salminen as Fasolt |
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Fritz Hübner as Fafner |
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Hermann Becht as Alberich |
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Helmut Pampuch as Mime |
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Hanna Schwarz as Fricka |
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Carmen Reppel as Freia |
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Ortrun Wenkel as Erda |
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Norma Sharp as Woglinde |
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Ilse Gramatzki as Wellgunde |
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Marga Schiml as Flosshilde |
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Pierre Boulez as Self - Conductor |
| Writing | Richard Wagner | Writer |
| Sound | Richard Wagner | Original Music Composer |
| Directing | Brian Large | Director |
| Directing | Patrice Chéreau | Stage Director |
| Directing | Patrice Chéreau | Director |
| Sound | Pierre Boulez | Conductor |
| Art | Richard Peduzzi | Production Design |
