This is the first part of Wagner's cycle "The Ring of the Niebelungen". The precious Rhinegold can give power to whoever wields it, yet he/she must first fore-swear love. Scorned Niebelung (dwarf people) Alberich steals the gold and forges a ring of power out of it. The news spreads and other heavenly races hear of it, such as the ambitious Wotan and cunning Loge. They descent into the dwarf city to steal the ring, that will become the center of vicious power-plays...
Wagner's opera about the trappings of honor, ambition and greed is often presented metaphorically. This presentation chooses to be as faithful as possible to Wagner's vision by presenting the story in its authentic mythical setting.
It is almost useless to even comment on the music. Wagner's music in his epic opera is among the best ever created in the history of mankind, and many of the best moments are first featured in Das Rheingold: the slowly growing overture, the descent into the Nibelung city... James Levine aptly conducts one of the world's finest orchestras through Wagner's rich compositions.
Its is essential to have "seen" an opera, since listening to it with no visual framework leaves you with an incomplete feeling. The staging in this presentation uses top notch theatrical techniques, costuming and makeup effects to give a vivid and stunning depiction of this inspirational fantasy tale (based on the old Nibelungenlied legend). Large's camera cover the action to perfection and the performances stand up to close scrutiny, with Alberich being the stand-out.
Anyone who likes music should get this, and feast their eyes and ears with this epic.
