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.

Set in 16th-century France and Spain, Don Carlos tells of the political and amorous rivalry between ...

The historic, original, live airing of what would become an annual Christmas tradition throughout th...

Mirella Freni, Placido Domingo, Christa Ludwig, and Robert Kerns star in this Jean-Pierre Ponnelle-d...

The stupendous climax to Wagner’s four-part Ring cycle is brilliantly realized by the Otto Schenk/Gü...

Originally commissioned to celebrate the completion of the Suez Canal and the opening of Cairos new ...

Carlos Álvarez takes the title role in the first of Verdi's Shakespearean operas, with Maria Guleghi...

Disenchanted opera star Carlotta Manson falls for ruffian cat burglar Barney McGann and gives up her...

The priestess Norma loves Pollione, leader of the occupying force suppressing her people, and has bo...

An operatic film adaptation of the poem by Paul Laurence Dunbar of the same name.

From the first steps of an emerging singer to the final bow of a celebrated soprano, 'PRIMADONNA OR ...

"Orango" - prologue to an unfinished opera by Dmitri Shostakovich (1906-1975), conducted by Esa-Pekk...

Axel Köhler’s production of Der Freischütz at the Dresden State Opera was described by Die Presse as...

For the first time in company history, the Met presents the original five-act French version of Verd...

A sudden gunshot shatters the dream of two lovers on their wedding day. The fate of Orpheus and Eury...

Cio-Cio-San, the young Japanese bride of dashing American officer Lieutenant Pinkerton, finds her ro...

A 1985 performance of Luchino Visconti's 1958 staging for the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Bern...

A film version of the famous Bizet opera, where a soldier (Don Jose) falls in love with a beautiful ...

Cio-Cio-San, a young Japanese geisha, seeks to fulfill her dreams through marriage to an American na...