In the depths of the Rhine, the three Rhinemaidens guard the Rhinegold, a treasure of immeasurable value. The Nibelung dwarf Alberich is dazzled by the sight of it. The girls explain that whoever wins the gold and forges it into a ring will gain power over the world, but must first renounce love. Frustrated by his unsuccessful attempts to catch one of the girls, Alberich curses love and steals the gold. Wotan, lord of the gods, is reproached by his wife Fricka: he has promised to give Freia, goddess of youth, to the giants Fasolt and Fafner in return for their building a fortress for the gods. When the giants demand their reward, Loge, the god of fire, suggests an alternative payment: the ring Alberich has forged from the Rhinegold, and his other treasures. The giants agree, and Wotan and Loge leave for the Nibelungs’ underground home.

Who loves whom in Così fan tutte, Mozart’s and Da Ponte’s cruelly comic reflection on desire, fideli...

Based on a revolutionary play supposedly written by the Eternal President of the Democratic People's...

The operatic version of the famous story about a governess who fears her two charges are possessed.

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After the acclaimed Met premiere of Thomas Adès's "The Tempest" in 2012, the composer returned with ...

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A colorful and comedic staging of the classic opera buffa by the Vienna State Opera.

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This telecast offers a rare opportunity to see the legendary Joan Sutherland in the role that first ...

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Disciplined Italian composer Antonio Salieri becomes consumed by jealousy and resentment towards the...

Two years prior to the opening scene, the nobleman Florestan has exposed or attempted to expose cert...

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With his affinity for the 16th-century sculptor Benvenuto Cellini's advocacy of artistic and persona...

An excellent performance of this delightful opera. The principals are superb, especially the sisters...

This is a good video of "Figaro", but there are a couple of better ones available. The Bohm and the ...

All the throbbing eroticism—and ultimate heartbreak—of Puccini’s youthful score is unleashed by Jame...

2014 marks a year of celebration recognizing the 150th birthday year of the German late-Romantic orc...