Wagner: Das Rheingold (1980)

ALL 08/12/1980 (fr) Music 143 Min
  • Release
    08/12/1980
  • Production
    Unitel Classics, Deutsche Grammophon
  • Rotten tomato
    63.75%
  • Original title
    Wagner: Das Rheingold
  • Original language
    fr
  • Production Cost
  • 0.00
    -

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.

  1. Brian Large

    Director

  2. Story

  3. Editor

  4. Producer



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Casts

Full Cast & Crew

Casts : 15 , Crews : 5

Keyword

Wagner: Das Rheingold (1980) 143 Min

ALL 08/12/1980 (fr)
Music
  • Release 08/12/1980
  • Production
    Unitel Classics, Deutsche Grammophon
  • Original title Wagner: Das Rheingold
  • fr
  • Revenue0.00

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.

  1. Brian Large

    Director

  2. Story

  3. Editor

  4. Producer