Story

Götter-
dämmerung

As the end nears for the gods, and human ambition rules the world, Alberich’s son Hagen hatches a plot to take control of the ring, threatening the union of Siegfried and Brünnhilde. Fueled by greed, Hagen’s actions lead to chaos and destruction, until Brünnhilde steps forward to return the world to its natural order.

Composed by Richard Wagner

Sung in German with English supertitles


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View Photos

Hear the Music

Hear the Music

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Watch Video

Das Rheingold

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Das Rheingold

Greed and vengeance trigger a chain of events fraught with corruption and struggle.

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Die Walküre

A father’s blinding ambition and a daughter’s profound defiance drive the story forward.

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Siegfried

A fearless young hero battles otherworldly challenges on a journey to discover his destiny.

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SYNOPSIS

The cycle reaches its transcendent climax with a suspenseful tale of bravery and sacrifice, treachery and betrayal, destruction and renewal.

Read Complete Synopsis >

The Ring

The Ring Program Articles

DIRECTORS NOTE

The inspiration behind this Ring production is partly #MeToo, partly environmental—and almost entirely American.

WHAT PRICE LOVE?

If Wagner’s Ring could be reduced to a simple slogan, it would resemble something like the power of love versus the love of power.

WAGNER, SCHOPENHAUER, AND THE ORIENT

Richard Wagner’s interest in the East was stimulated by German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer’s The World as Will and Representation.

character bios

Siegfried
Brunnhilde
Hagen

CAST & CREATIVE

Cast
Brünnhilde Iréne Theorin
Siegfried Daniel Brenna*
Gunther Brian Mulligan
Hagen Andrea Silvestrelli
Waltraute Jamie Barton
Gutrune Melissa Citro
Alberich Falk Struckmann*
First Norn Ronnita Miller
Second Norn Jamie Barton
Third Norn Sarah Cambidge
Woglinde Stacey Tappan
Wellgunde Lauren McNeese
Flosshilde Renée Tatum

*  San Francisco Opera debut

Crew
Conductor Donald Runnicles
Director Francesca Zambello
Associate Director Laurie Feldman
Choreographer Denni Sayers
Set Designer Michael Yeargan
Costume Designer Catherine Zuber
Lighting Designer Mark McCullough
Projection Designer S. Katy Tucker
Original Projection Designer Jan Hartley
Chorus Director Ian Robertson
Fight Director Dave Maier
Dance Master Lawrence Pech

A co-production with Washington National Opera.

 

Previous performances of Götterdämmerung can be found in our Archive.