Teatro Nacional De São Carlos

Portuguese Symphony Orchestra
Nacional Theatre of São Carlos Choir

New Production
TNSC

Siegfried Stefan Vinke
Gunther Michael Vier
Hagen James Moellenhoff
Alberich Johann Werner Prein
Gutrune Sónia Alcobaça
Waltraute Julia Oesch
Brünnhilde Susan Bullock
First Norn Katja Boost
Second Norn Maria Luísa Freitas
Third Norn Sara Andersson
Woglinde Chelsey Schill
Wellgunde Ana Franco
Flosshilde  Luisa Francesconi

REALMS OF THE MYTHICAL GERMANIC PAST


BACKGROUND

Conceived as a conclusion for The Ring of Nibelung, Wagner's colossal operatic tetralogy, The Twilight of the Gods represents, yet, the core from which the composer developed the structure of all operatic cycle. Initially called The Death of Siegfried (Siegfrieds Tod) only later is changed by the composer to its final name. The first essay of the work and consequently of all tetralogy is dated from 1848, however its conclusion only occurs in1874. The tetralogy, partly inspired by the structure of the greek tragedy and its model of representation in the old religious festivals, was to be presented along with a musical cycle of four operas, distributed by four days: The Gold of Reno, a prologue reserved to the first night as an introductory piece, The Valkyrie, Siegfried and The Twilight of the Gods that would be brought to the scene within the folowing three days.

Actually, the debut of the tetralogy took place between the 13th and 17th of August 1876, when Festspielhaus of Bayreuth opened and the full version of the cycle was staged. In spite of the two first pieces of The Ring of Nibelung were premiered alone, the remain were presented to the audience only when the tetralogy was concluded, fulfilling the composer intentions. The Twilight of the Gods represents the climax of all operatic cycle. It is Wagner's longest opera, and simultaneously, the one that shows a greater maturity and complexity either in terms of musical writing (orchestral, harmonic and thematic),  as well as in terms of direction, becoming one of the most demanding operas of the entire operatic repertoire.

Text, Tiago Cutileiro and Marta Navarro


PROLOGUE

The three Nornen that weave the golden threads of faith predict the twilight of the gods era. But when the rope of destiny is cut, they disappear forever. Brünnhilde says goodbye to her dear Siegfried in front of the cave where they live. Before leaving in search of adventure and glory, Siegfried gives her the ring that he got by killing the dragon Fafner and she gives him her horse, Grane.


1st ACT

In a palace in Reno Hagen advises his half-brother the king Gunther, to marry the beautifull Brünnhilde, protected by a wall of fire. Hagen fears that Siegfried reclaims her heart and thinks of a love filter that can make him feel atracted by Gunther's sister, Gutrune. Siegfried arrives and drinks the potion. He falls in love with Gutrune and forgets Brünnhilde. Siegfried promisses to make Brünnhilde love Gunther. Hagen sees Siegfried leaving to fulfill his mission. At home, Brünnhilde welcomes her sister valkyrie, Waltraute, but rejects her request to save the gods by renouncing the ring that Siegfried gave her. Wearing the magic helmet to be mistaken with Gunther, Siegfried arrives at dark. He pulls the ring off Brünnhilde's hand and forces her to enter the cave where they chastely sleep, separated by his sword.


2nd ACT

Sleeping by the Reno, Hagen listens to his father Nibelungo, Alberich, asking him to conquer the ring. At dawn, Siegfried returns to Gutrune. When Gunther arrives with Brünnhilde, Siegfried doesn't recognize her. By seeing the ring in Siegfried's finger, Brünnhilde accuses him of treason. But Siegfried swears his loyalty to Gunther and denies to be married with Brünnhilde. Hagen persuades Brünnhilde and Gunther that Siegfried has to die. Brünnhilde reluctantly joins the marriage parade in the company of Gunther.


3rd ACT

Siegfried goes hunting and finds the Daughters of Reno that warn him of his imminent death. Gunther and Hagen find Siegfried that tells them about his youth. Hagen gives him a magic potion to drink that makes him remember Brünnhilde. Hagen kills Siegfried. Gunther and his men take Siegfried's body to the palace. There, anxious to take off the ring from Siegfried's finger, Hagen kills Gunther. However, Brünnhilde gets the ring and to take its curse off, uses it to sacrifice herself in the pyra. Siegfried's funeral. The Daughters of Reno recover the ring and drown Hagen. As predicted, the flames consume the gods and their heavenly fortress, Valhalla.