Siegmund is Wotan’s illegitimate son. He falls in love with Sieglinde, his twin sister and the wife of Hunding. He comes into possession of the sword Nothung since he is the only one capable of uniting love and power within himself. Wotan’s wife Fricka demands Siegmund’s death on the grounds of the incestuous relationship. The god accedes to his wife and permits the death of his son. With him, he kills his hope for releasing the gods and the world from the curse of the gold. His daughter Brünnhilde saves Sieglinde, who has become pregnant by Siegmund. Wotan punishes Brünnhilde for her rebellion against his commands: She must sleep on the Rock of the Valkyries, surrounded by flames until a mortal hand wakes her.
First day of the Bühnenfestspiel »The Ring of the Nibelungs« by Richard Wagner
Running time 5 hours 15 minutes
Premiere 11 Nov 2001
Set Design and Costume Design: Wolfgang Gussmann
Staging: Willy Decker
Costume Design: Frauke Schernau
Dramaturgy: Hella Bartnig
