Wagner: Das Rheingold (1980)
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.

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Cast

Pierre Boulez Pierre Boulez As: Self - Conductor
Donald McIntyre Donald McIntyre As: Wotan
Martin Egel Martin Egel As: Donner
Siegfried Jerusalem Siegfried Jerusalem As: Froh
Heinz Zednik Heinz Zednik As: Loge
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Storyline

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.


Tagline:
Certification: Unknown

Details

Genres: Music

Language: Deutsch

Release Date: 12 August 1980

Country: DE

Runtime: 143m

Film Collections

Company Credits

Company: Unitel Classics, Deutsche Grammophon

External Links

Cast

Directed By

Brian Large

Brian Large

Director

Patrice Chéreau

Patrice Chéreau

Stage Director

Writing Credits

Production Crew

Not currently known.

Edited By

Not currently known.

Costume and Makeup

Not currently known.

Sound

Pierre Boulez

Pierre Boulez

Music Director

Richard Wagner

Richard Wagner

Original Music Composer

Visual Effects

Not currently known.

Camera

Not currently known.

Lighting

Not currently known.

Art Department

Not currently known.

Other Crew

Not currently known.

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