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.
Pierre Boulez
as Self - Conductor
Donald McIntyre
as Wotan
Martin Egel
as Donner
Siegfried Jerusalem
as Froh
Heinz Zednik
as Loge
Hermann Becht
as Alberich
Helmut Pampuch
as Mime
Matti Salminen
as Fasolt
Ilse Gramatzki
as Wellgunde
Fritz Hübner
as Fafner
Carmen Reppel
as Freia
Marga Schiml
as Flosshilde
