Wagner's "DAS RHEINGOLD"

Das Rheingold begins with a 136-bar unmodulating prelude based on the chord of E flat major that is meant to represent the eternal unchanging motions of the River Rhine. It is considered the best known drone piece in the concert repertory, lasting approximately four minutes. It was claimed by Wagner in his autobiography Mein Leben that the musical idea came to him while he was half asleep in a hotel in La Spezia in Italy. The music grows in power, and the curtain rises.

At the bottom of the River Rhine, the three Rhinemaidens (Woglinde, Wellgunde, and Flosshilde) are playing together near the Rheingold. Alberich, a Nibelung dwarf, appears from a deep chasm and tries to woo them. Struck by Alberich's ugliness, the Rhinemaidens mock his advances and he grows angry. Noticing a golden glow coming from a nearby rock, he asks what it is. The Rhinemaidens tell him about the Rhinegold, which their father has ordered them to guard: it can be made into a magic Ring which will let its bearer rule the world, but only by someone who first renounces love. They think they have nothing to fear from the lustful dwarf, but Alberich, embittered by their mockery, curses love, seizes the gold and returns to the depths, as the Rhinemaidens flee in despair.

Weia! Waga!
Woge, du Welle,
walle zur Wiege!
Wagala weia!
Wallala, weiala weia!

Rheingold!
Rheingold!
Leuchtende Lust,
wie lachst du so hell und hehr!
Glühender Glanz
entgleisset dir weihlich im Wag!
Heiajahei!
Heiajaheia!
Wache, Freund,
Wache froh!
Wonnige Spiele
spenden wir dir:
flimmert der Fluss,
flammet die Flut,
umfliessen wir tauchend,
tanzend und singend
im seligem Bade dein Bett!
Rheingold!
Rheingold!
Heiajaheia!
Wallalalalala heiajahei!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• das
• rheingold
• leuchtende
• lust
• richard
• wagner

[scarpia1965]

My pool is smaller!

[wenarto]

i have to find the other two maiden that disappeared (not showing up in the pool)

[sperryism]

Wonder what the Valkyries look like in this production!

[rumpwrestler]

Someone pissed in that swimming pool! And my goodness, those Rhinemaidens have gotten so butch!!!!

[garfreed]

The very beginning of a 16-hour saga. The Ring!

[ariastoteles]

@NatashaNabokov

Wenarto's version! :)

[asisecanta]

wow

TOTAL GENIOUS

[rumpwrestler]

First time ever:  Rheinmaidens as men!

[ftumschk]

Solti's. Sorry it's taken so long for someone to reply :)

[advancedatheist]

Alberich could probably kicks Gollum's ass for the Ring as well.

[NatashaNabokov]

which version is this?

[iwpoe]

Watch out for Alberich. He wants you and the gold!