Harmonious Histories - Richard Wagner and His Ring Cycle Part 1 - Das Rheingold

Discover the enduring allure of epic storytelling as we explore both contemporary cinema and classic opera. Ever wondered how a film like "The Brutalist" can captivate audiences for 215 minutes? Or why Richard Wagner's 16-hour "Ring Cycle" remains a pinnacle of musical drama? Join me on Rod's Ramblings for insights into the artistry behind these expansive narratives. You'll hear about Wagner's journey from a struggling musician to a legendary composer who masterfully fused drama and music, leaving an indelible mark on the world of opera.

Get ready for a thrilling retelling of the gods' power struggle, featuring Wotan, the king of the gods, and a cursed ring that sets off a deadly conflict. We spotlight Sir Bryn Terfel's commanding performance as Wotan, while also touching upon Wagner's complex legacy, including his controversial political beliefs. This episode promises a captivating blend of storytelling, music, and cultural reflection. Whether you're a fan of operatic drama or modern-day cinema, this discussion promises to enrich your appreciation for long-form storytelling.

Transcript

Wagner's Influence on Opera

Speaker 1 0:09

Hello there and welcome to Rod's Ramblings , a podcast reminiscing about cultural events and how they've affected this 60-something . Thanks for listening . Your support really is appreciated . As I've been researching this episode , everyone on the radio , tv and social media seem to have been talking about the BAFTAs and the nominations for the forthcoming Oscars . There seem to be two contenders for Best Film Wicked Part 1 and the Brutalist . Wicked Part 1 is the first instalment of a two-part adaptation of the stage musical of the same name , starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda . Set in the land of Oz before Dorothy Gale's arrival from Kansas , its plot follows Elphaba , the future Wicked Witch of the West , and her friendship with her classmate Glinda , who becomes Glinda the Good . The Brutalist is a story about Lazio Toth , an architect who escapes post-war Europe and moves to America to rebuild his life , his career and his marriage . Both films have received 10 Oscar nominations , but the Brutalist seems to be leading the way in the Oscars build-up .

Speaker 1 1:19

Surprisingly , despite the film receiving a rating of 8.7 out of 10 on Rotten Tomatoes and a five-star rating from the Guardian's Peter Bradshaw , it isn't Brady Corbett's direction , adrian Brody's acting or the film's frank depiction of the American immigrant experience that's on everyone's lips , it's the length of the film . The Brutalist is a very brutal 215 minutes long . That's 3 hours and 35 minutes in old money . By anyone's standards , that's an incredible length of time for even the biggest film fan to sit through without a cuppa , a toilet break or an allowance for the slightest break in concentration . The filmmakers have recognised what a big ask they're making of the film going public and have deliberately written in a 15 minute interval . The filmmakers have recognised what a big ask they're making of the film going public and have deliberately written in a 15 minute interval . What has this got to do with your classical music discovery , I hear you ask .

Speaker 1 2:12

Well , as daunting as the length of time the Brutalist is on screen is , in the 19th century it was commonplace for operas to last at least three hours . Mozart's Marriage of Figaro , bizet's Carmen and Verdi's Aida all come in just under three hours . But the man who gets the award for making operas a long distance event is without doubt Richard Wagner . His famous pieces Tristan and Isolde and Tannhauser each last four hours and 46 minutes , whilst his last last composition , parsifal , is completed in slightly less time , plucking in at 4 hours and 15 minutes . These are individual pieces , each demanding a lot of concentration , but his pièce de résistance has got to be his ring cycle , also known as the Ring of the Nibelung . It's made up of four individual operas Das Rheingold , die Valkur , also known as the Valkyrie , siegfried and Götterdammerung , also known as Twilight of the Gods , with the full cycle lasting almost 16 hours . Incidentally , to put that into perspective , I understand that the full published works of the Beatles lasts a total of 19 hours . In recognition of this remarkable feat , I've decided to dedicate this episode of Rod's Ramblings to Richard Wagner and his Ring of the Nibelung .

Speaker 1 3:37

We'll start with a little bit about Wagner himself . Richard Wagner was born on the 22nd of May 1813 in Leipzig , saxony . His early life was anything but ordinary . His father , karl , died of typhoid just six months after Richard's birth , and 15 months later his mother , joanna , married Karl's friend , the actor and playwright Ludwig Geier . The family then moved to Dresden and for the first 14 years of his life Wagner was brought up as Wilhelm Richard Geyer . In later years , wagner came to believe that Geyer was in fact his biological father .

Speaker 1 4:14

Wagner's first forays into the world of music began when he was seven years old , whilst at Pastor Wetzel's school in Possendorf , near Dresden school in Possendorf , near Dresden . They didn't get off to the best start , with his teachers saying that he struggled to play a proper scale and he used to torture the piano in a most abominable fashion . That's got to go down alongside the famous quote from the Decca Records spokesman saying that guitar music will never catch on . When they rejected the Beatles , geyer's love of the theatre rubbed off on the young Wagner , who would take part in many of his stepfather's dramatic appearances , so much so that he initially wanted to be a playwright . He produced his first play , lubald , when he was just 13 . It was a tragedy strongly influenced by Shakespeare and the German philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe .

Speaker 1 5:05

Despite his interest in drama and his poor start in learning to play the piano , his passion for music grew and he developed a liking for the style adopted by Karl Maria von Weber , beethoven's symphonies and Mozart's Requiem . In 1829 , he had a Saul of Damascus-like transformation moment when he saw a performance by the soprano Wilhelmine Schroeder-Devrion , whom Beethoven had asked to perform the role of Leonora in the revival of Fidelio . She had also created the role of Agathe for Weber's Der Freischutz . This ignited Wagner's desire to fuse drama and music , and he went on to enrol at Leipzig University in 1831 , studying composition with Theodor Weinlig . He was so inspired by Schroeder-Devriel that he eventually had her portrayed as tragedy over the door of his house in Beirut , and it is believed that he spoke about her in the final moments of his life .

Speaker 1 6:07

Wagner went on to become a towering figure of the 19th century , known for his revolutionary contributions to the opera genre . His works , characterised by complex textures , rich harmonies and elaborate use of recurrent musical themes known as leitmotifs , have left an indelible mark on the world of classical music . A leitmotif is a musical theme associated with a main character , location or thematic idea that is regularly re-implied throughout a piece . The theme is constantly used so the listener can recognise the musical phrase and connect the action of the opera or movie with the music . The musical phrase and connect the action of the opera or movie with the music . The soundtrack in Star Wars films are a great example of how these are used , with different themes used for Darth Vader , luke Skywalker and Princess Leia .

Speaker 1 6:56

It wasn't just his music that set Wagner apart . It was his radical vision for what opera could be . He coined the term Gesamtkunstwerk . For what opera could be , he coined the term Gesamtkunstwerk , meaning total work of art , where music , poetry , drama and visual spectacle were to be fused into a single cohesive all . He believed that opera should emphasise the importance of each art form whilst contributing equally to the overall experience . He meticulously controlled every aspect of the production , from the libretto to the stage design , to ensure that his artistic intentions were fully communicated . This holistic approach to opera production profoundly influenced the development of the art form and set new standards for theatrical performance .

Speaker 1 7:41

There is a tendency , when talking about opera , to praise the composer of the music whilst not giving credit to the writer of the libretto , which is a bit like saying what a great songwriter Elton John is without mentioning Bernie Taupin . So , in the interest of balance , I'd like to share the next little snippet with you . One of Wagner's earliest successes was Rienzi Der Letze der Tribunen , the Letter of the Tribunes , which was premiered in 1842 . The libretto was based on the novel of the same name by the English politician Edward Bulwer-Lytton . Bulwer-lytton was a very popular author and is known for being the originator of phrases such as the pen is mightier than the sword Sword from his play Richelieu , the Great Unwashed and the opening phrase it Was A Dark and Stormy Night . From his novel Paul Clifford . The opening phrase has led to the cynical Ball Were Lit In Fiction contest , which has been held every year since 1982 , encouraging entrants to think up terrible openings in an attempt to find the opening sentence of the worst of all possible novels . Before we move on to Wagner's Ring Cycle , let's have a piece of music In keeping with this Rambles theme . I've chosen an epic piece of music by the composer Johannes Bornloff , no-transcript .

Speaker 1 12:00

The poetic edda , also known as the Elder Edda , is a collection of Old Norse poems , its authors being largely anonymous and passed down orally before being written down during the 13th century . The collection is divided into mythological and heroic sections , containing poems such as the Voluspa , a prophecy of the world's end , and the Havamal , which is a collection of wise sayings attributed to the god Odin . The Prose Edda , also called the Younger Edda or simply Edda , is a narrative work that explains the myths and poetic traditions of the Norse gods . It was written by the Icelandic historian and poet Snorri Sturluson in the early 13th century . The work is divided into several sections , including a narrative of the creation and destruction of the world and a treatise on poetic language .

Speaker 1 12:49

The Nibelungerlied , translated as the Song of the Nibelungs , is a medieval German epic poem written by an unknown poet around the year 1200 . That is one of the most important works of German literature . It narrates the story of the hero Siegfried , his murder and the subsequent revenge taken by his wife , kremhild . It weaves together elements of adventure , romance , betrayal and vengeance . It consists of two parts . The first , following Siegfried's life , is acquisition of a vast treasure and his marriage to Komild , and the second part deals with Creomild's revenge after Siegfried's murder . The main characters are Siegfried , an heroic figure who has invulnerability except for one spot on his body , a little bit like Achilles . Creomild , siegfried's wife , who seeks vengeance for his murder . Gunther , king of Burgundy , and Creomild's brother and Hagen , a vassal of Gunther , who ultimately betrays and kills Siegfried . The Nibelungerlied has significantly influenced Germanic and Norse legends and has inspired many works in addition to Wagner's Ring Cycle and remains a cornerstone of medieval epic literature . Remains a cornerstone of medieval epic literature .

Speaker 1 14:04

Wagner's take on these legends was written over the course of 26 years , from 1848 to 1874 . It all started when he wrote a libretto based on Norse mythology called Siegfried's Tod Siegfried's Death , but put it aside during his involvement with the Dresden Uprising and his flight into exile In 1850 , he decided that this libretto needed a predecessor and produced one called Der junge Siegfried , jung Siegfried . He then felt he needed to go even further into the tale and wrote a libretto that might have been called Siegfried's Parents , since it tells their story , and that ended up as Die Valkur , the Valkyrie . Finally , he decided that this trilogy needed a prologue , and that was when Das Rheingold was formed . This would deal with the pre-history of the family drama , how magic gold was fashioned into an accursed ring , how the gods won and lost it , and how Wotan , their ruler , must scheme to get it back . To do justice to all four operas in this cycle , I'd have to force you to endure a brutalistic experience . So therefore , in the interest of sanity , I'd like to concentrate on just the prologue , das Rheingold . Don't worry , all the others will be covered in future episodes .

Speaker 1 15:22

In Das Rheingold we encounter gods , giants , dwarves and heroes , all embroiled in a tale of power , greed and the accursed Rhinegold that bestows limitless power upon its possessor . Wagner intricately weaves these mythological elements to create a rich tapestry of drama and music . I'd like to share my understanding of the story with you . Incidentally , if you find yourself asking have I heard this story before ? Rest assured , this is the original . I can confirm that this was written in 1854 and Tolkien wasn't born until 1892 .

Speaker 1 15:58

Our story begins at the base of the River Rhine . A horde of shimmering gold is being guarded by a group of eerie and ethereal creatures known as Rhine Maidens . Their leader , valgunda , stands at the head of the group . The dwarf , alberich , appears , sees the gold and is immediately drawn towards it . Valgunda meets him at the river's edge and begins to taunt him with tales of the power that the gold holds . Whosoever forges a ring from the gold will be granted unimaginable power , she whispers into his ear . Alberich's eyes begin to gleam with an unholy hunger as Velgunda continues . However , a price must be paid , she whispers . Power will only be passed to the ring-bearer if he or she will renounce love forever . Alberich begins to flirt with the Rhine-maidens , inviting them to join him , but they mock him regarding his size and looks and taunt him with cruel laughter . He becomes enraged with the maidens , but increasingly obsessed with the gold , and as maniacal desire overtakes him , he renounces love , snatches the gold and flees into the abyss Under cover of darkness . The dwarf forges a ring , places it upon his finger and declares himself the Lord of the Nibelungs . Meanwhile , as Alberich , valgunda and the Rhydemadens have been battling over the gold

The Power Struggle of the Gods

Speaker 1 17:21

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Speaker 1 17:21

Wotan , king of the Gods , has instructed two giants , fasolt and Fafner , to construct a new castle which will become the home of the gods . In return for this , they are promised Wotan's sister-in-law , freya , the goddess of youth and beauty . Freya and her sister hear of this deal and , desperate with fear , they plead with Wotan for protection . Wotan reassures them and tells them that all will be well , as Loghi , the god of fire , has a plan that will save them . The work is completed . The giants arrive and demand their prize . Wotan attempts a futile compromise , but Fasolt and Fafner , their voices dripping with menace , warn him against breaking their pact . As tension mounts , loghi arrives with news that sends shivers down their spines Alberich has stolen the gold . Fasolt senses a shift in power , convinces Fafner that the gold is more valuable than the girl and tells Wotan that they will exchange Freya for the gold ring . They agree to return that evening , taking Freya as an hostage .

Speaker 1 18:25

Wotan and Logus set off for Nibelim in order to retrieve the ring and the gold . As they descend into its shadowy realm , they find Alberich . Now a cruel tyrant has enslaved the Nibelungs and forced them to mine the ground in order to find more gold . A fight breaks out and Wotan and Logi manage to overpower Alberich . Wotan seizes the ring and places it on his own finger . Alberich , his face contorted with rage , curses the ring and all who will possess it .

Speaker 1 18:55

Later that evening the giants return , dragging a pale and trembling Freya beside them . Wotan and Logi offer them Alberich's cursed bounty in exchange for Freya , but Fafnir , his eyes burning with greed , demands the ring . Wotan refuses and the air grows heavy with impending doom . Erda , goddess of the earth , emerges from the shadows , warns Wotan of the curse and advises him to give up the ring before he can do more harm . Trembling , wotan reluctantly hands over the ring and Fafnir and Fasolt overcome with bloodlust , turn on each other . In a gruesome moment , fafnir slays Fassolt and flees with the gold . As the sky clears , the gods' new home looms ominously on the horizon . Wotan , with a hollow pride , proclaims that this new palace will be called Valhalla . A spectral rainbow bridge appears and Wotan leads the gods into their new realm as the curtain falls .

Speaker 1 19:54

There we have it an extremely shortened version of a story which lasts two and a half hours . This is a good time for another piece of music , and in this case I've chosen a piece by the composer no-transcript , featuring a range of talented singers . Some prominent performers who have taken on key roles are Greer Grimsley , john Tomlinson and Bryn Tafel , who all played the King of the Gods , wotan . Alberich the Dwarf has been played by Albert Doman , matthias Gorn and Hans Söthin . Richard Cox , graham Clarke and Robert Dean Smith have played Logie , the God of Fire . The Queen Fricka has been played by Elizabeth de Jong , walt Rode Meyer and Janina Beheel . The roles of the giants Fasolt and Fafner have been taken on by Christine Sigmundson , kurt Moll and Mattis Salminen , daniel Semege , robert Lide and James Morris and finally , freya has been played by Jessica Fassolt , iris Vermillion and Eva Johansson . The most famous of these is probably Sir Bryn Turfle Jones .

Speaker 1 24:07

Bryn Turfle is celebrated for his powerful bass baritone voice and his versatility across different operatic roles . He was born on November 9 , 1965 , in Pantglass , carnarvonshire , wales . He showed an early interest in music , learning traditional Welsh songs from a family friend , and moved to London in 1984 to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama . Bryn won the Kathleen Ferrier Memorial Award in 1989 and made his operatic debut as Guglielmo in Cosi Fan Tutti for the Welsh National Opera in 1990 . In addition to playing Wotan in Das Rheingold .

Speaker 1 24:47

He is well known for his performances in Mozart's operas the Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni and Richard Strauss' Salome . He has received multiple Grammy Awards , including Best Opera Recording in 2013 , and was knighted in 2017 for services to music . Over the years , he has been actively involved in promoting and nurturing young singers through the Pendine International Voice of the Future competition at the Llangollen International Music Eisteddfod . He has urged talented young singers from Wales and beyond to participate in this prestigious competition , which provides a significant platform for emerging artists . Sir Bryn himself headlines the closing concert of the Eisteddfod , offering a wonderful opportunity for these young singers to perform alongside him . He continues to be a prominent figure in the world of opera and classical music .

Uncovering Richard Wagner's Complex Legacy

Speaker 1 25:42

Thanks for listening to my rumble about Richard Wagner and the Ring of Nibelung . I recognise that we still need to talk about the remaining three operas in the Ring cycle , and we haven't even touched on his relationships with women , his political beliefs or his notoriety for anti-Semitic beliefs . I'm looking forward to sharing these with you in future rambles , but until the next time , on Rod's Ramblings , cheers and take care .