Story

Das Rheingold

Scorned by three beautiful Rhinemaidens, the dwarf Alberich renounces love and steals the Rhine’s magical gold to forge a ring granting its bearer absolute power.

Composer: Richard Wagner

Approximate running time: 2 hours, 35 minutes with no intermission

Sung in German with English supertitles

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SYNOPSIS

In the cycle’s prelude, greed and vengeance trigger a chain of events fraught with corruption and struggle.

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character bios

CAST & CREATIVE

Cast

Wotan	Greer Grimsley
Loge	Stefan Margita
Alberich	Falk Struckmann*
Fricka	Jamie Barton
Erda	Ronnita Miller
Mime	David Cangelosi
Fasolt	Andrea Silvestrelli
Fafner	Raymond Aceto
Woglinde	Stacey Tappan
Wellgunde	Lauren McNeese
Flosshilde	Renée Tatum
Froh	Brandon Jovanovich
Donner	Brian Mulligan

* San Francisco Opera Debut

Crew

Conductor	Donald Runnicles
Director	Francesca Zambello
Set Designer	Michael Yeargan
Costume Designer	Catherine Zuber
Lighting Designer	Mark McCullough
Projection Designer	S. Katy Tucker
Projection Designer	Jan Hartley
Chorus Director	Ian Robertson

* San Francisco Opera Debut

Explore the Operas

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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Götterdämmerung

The cycle's transcendent climax—a suspenseful tale of bravery, sacrifice, destruction and renewal.

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Ring Festival

Make the most of your experience by taking part in the Ring Festival. Enjoy events, lectures and screenings before and during your cycle.

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THE RING CIRCLE

Immerse yourself in Wagner’s operatic masterpiece with unique opportunities designed to bring this most epic of works to life.

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