Movie
Wagner: Das Rheingold
1980 · 146 min
A staged opera that unfolds slowly and grandly, asking patience as mythic greed and power play out in a stark, industrial setting.
- Directed by
- Brian Large, Patrice Chéreau
- Genres
- Music
- Starring
- Donald McIntyre, Martin Egel, Siegfried Jerusalem
- Overview
- 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.
Your rating is saved. See your suggestions, or find titles like this one below.
Rate it, and Mesmero finds titles that feel like it. You do not need an account.
Add to a list: Wagner: Das Rheingold
In the USNot loaded yet.
- Directed by
- Brian Large, Patrice Chéreau
- Genres
- Music
- Starring
- Donald McIntyre, Martin Egel, Siegfried Jerusalem
