Götterdämmerung
Libretto - shareware libretto provided by Mark D. Lew
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Cast, Creative Team & Production Stills - (from COC site)
Prelude
Three Norns spin the Rope of Fate, which binds the past, present and future.
They recall when a young Wotan visited the World Ash Tree, seeking wisdom
from the well beneath the tree. He paid with the loss of an eye, and took
as his reward a spear broken from the tree itself, upon which he inscribed
his contract with Nature. When the spear shattered, the well dried up and
the tree withered and died. Wotan's warriors have chopped down the tree
and gathered the wood around Valhalla. Wotan will soon set the world aflame.
As they wonder what will happen next, the Rope frays and breaks. Their power
gone, they descend into the earth in search of their mother, the earth goddess
Erda. As dawn breaks, Siegfried sets out from his home in search of adventure.
Brünnhilde bids him a loving farewell. As he departs, Siegfried gives
Brünnhilde the Ring.
Act I
Scene i: In the Hall of the Gibichungs, where Gunther and his sister Gutrune rule, Gunther consults with his half-brother Hagen. Both Gunther and his sister are lamentably single, and unsure of where to find suitable matches. Hagen suggests Brünnhilde for Gunther and Siegfried for Gutrune. He tells of Siegfried's great feats and convinces the siblings to use a magical potion that will secure his support. On his path to adventure, Siegfried arrives and the plan is put into motion.
Scene ii: Siegfried introduces himself to the Gibichungs, and shows them Nothung and the Tarnhelm. The Ring, he says, is with Brünnhilde. Gutrune hands Siegfried the magic drink. As he drinks it, he forgets Brünnhilde entirely and falls madly in love with Gutrune. Siegfried volunteers to help Gunther find a wife. Gunther suggests they seek out Brünnhilde, and Siegfried agrees. The swear a bond of blood-brotherhood to one another, and toast to their new friendship. As they depart, Hagen congratulates himself on his success and departs to keep watch for their return.
Scene iii: Brünnhilde is visited by her sister, the Valkyrie Waltraute, who tells her that Wotan has been quite lost since he imprisoned Brünnhilde in the ring of fire. No more does he send the Valkyries to battle; no more does he seek to rule the gods. He sent the slain heroes of Valhalla to the World Ash Tree, had it hacked to bits and had the pieces brought to his hall, where he sits on his throne, clutching his shattered spear. Waltraute explains that the only thing that can possibly save the gods now is the return of the Ring to the Rhinemaidens. Brünnhilde refuses to part with it, and Waltraute leaves in despair. As evening falls, Siegfried returns, disguised by the Tarnhelm to resemble Gunther. He wrests the Ring from Brünnhilde and claims her as Gunther's bride.
Act II
Scene i: While on night watch at Gibichung hall, Hagen is haunted by the spirit of his father—Alberich the Nibelung. He promises to obtain the Ring from Siegfried, so that the two can rule the world together. Alberich curses Wotan anew.
Scene ii: Aided by the magic of the Tarnhelm, Siegfried appears and brings news of Brünnhilde's capture. Hagen calls for Gutrune and commands that preparations begin for a double wedding.
Scene iii: Hagen calls the vassals to Gibichungs, armed. When they arrive, he announces the weddings and orders a celebration.
Scene iv: Gunther and Brünnhilde arrive, escorted by vassals. Gunther leads Brünnhilde into the hall, and introduces her to his sister and her betrothed. Brünnhilde reacts violently upon seeing Siegfried, astonished that he has forgotten her. She spots the Ring on Siegfried's hand and discovers that it was he who came to her, not Gunther. She tells the packed hall that she has lain with Siegfried. He denies it, and suggests they allow Brünnhilde some time to recover.
Scene v: Confused and believing herself betrayed, Brünnhilde succumbs to Hagen's guile and reveals Siegfried's only vulnerability—a blow to his back can kill him. Gunther, believing Siegfried laid with Brünnhilde while in disguise, joins in the murder plot. As the three contemplate the hero's downfall, Siegfried and Gutrune's wedding procession passes by.
Act III
Scene i: The Rhinemaidens Woglinde, Wellgunde and Flosshilde, stand at the banks of the Rhine bewailing the loss of their gold. Siegfried approaches, having wandered from his hunting party. The Rhinemaidens attempt to tease Siegfried into handing over the Ring, but the ploy fails. They tell him of the Ring's curse, but Siegfried doesn't believe them. The Rhinemaidens go in search of Brünnhilde as the hunting party arrives.
Scene ii: Wine and food is brought out, and the men ask Siegfried about his exploits. Is it true he understands the birds' songs? He states that he no longer listens to the forest birds. Siegfried blames Gunther's poor mood on an unhappy marriage, then tells hunters the story of his childhood and encounter with the dragon, Fafner. Hagen adds an herb to Siegfried's drink, then asks him about what happened after he killed the dragon. Siegfried tells an astonished Gunther about his rescue of Brünnhilde. Hagen uses the distraction to stab Siegfried in the back. As Hagen slinks away, Siegfried begs Brünnhilde's forgiveness and dies. Above, two ravens take flight, returning to Wotan to tell him the end has come.
Scene iii: Gutrune awaits the return of her husband and dreads meeting up with Brünnhilde, whose presence haunts her. She hears a noise and finds Hagen has returned followed by a chaotic funeral procession. Hagen tells her that her husband is dead, killed by a bear. Through her grief, Gutrune realizes Hagen has lied, and accuses her brother Gunther of murder. Hagen confesses to the murder, but says he did it in righteousness. He attempts to take the Ring from Siegfried's finger, but Gunther stops him, claiming the Ring is rightfully Gutrune's. Challenging Gunther to a fight, Hagen slays him. He reaches once again for the Ring, but this time Brünnhilde stops him. She has learned everything from the Rhinemaidens, tells Gutrune the truth about her relationship with Siegfried and reveals Hagen's part in the death plot. Shamed, Gutrune curses Hagen. Brünnhilde orders the vassals to prepare a funeral pyre for Siegfried. As the men place Siegfried onto the pyre, Brünnhilde takes the Ring from his finger. Placing it on her finger, she lights the pyre and throws herself upon it. The Rhine overflows its banks; the Rhinemaidens regain their gold and drag the greedy Hagen beneath the waves. In the sky, flames consume Valhalla.
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