Act 1: A house in the woods

The fugitive Siegmund seeks shelter in an unfamiliar dwelling. He is welcomed by a beautiful woman who gently invites him to rest by the hearth. When her husband Hunding returns, he is astonished to see how closely the stranger resembles his wife. Upon learning that the visitor has been fighting against his own clan, it is only the law of hospitality that restrains Hunding from attacking him at once. Nevertheless, he challenges him to a duel the following day. The unarmed Siegmund is shown a mighty sword by the woman of the house – a sword that no one has yet been able to pull from the ash tree standing in the middle of the hall. The tree yields to the man, so he not only earns the sword known as Nothung, but also the love of the woman, in whom he recognises his long-lost twin sister, Sieglinde.

Act 2

Scene 1: A rocky wilderness

Wotan instructs his daughter, the Valkyrie Brünnhilde, to support Siegmund in the upcoming duel. The chief god still fears Alberich’s threat, so he gathers warriors from the world of men around him: the Valkyries aid those who are destined to win in battle, while those who die a noble death enter Valhalla. Wotan himself often walks among mortals; Siegmund and Sieglinde were born from one such adventure. His wife Fricka, however, points out that his own son cannot fight against those whom the chief god himself is forbidden to oppose. Wotan yields to her and promises that neither he nor Brünnhilde will back Siegmund in the duel.

© János Posztós, Müpa

Scene 2: In the forest

Siegmund and Sieglinde have fled Hunding’s hut, but the terrified woman is exhausted by their escape. While she is sleeping, Brünnhilde appears before Siegmund and tells him he must die. Siegmund declares he would rather kill Sieglinde and their unborn child than abandon them. The Valkyrie is so moved that she makes up her mind to defy Wotan’s command, but the chief god appears, and shatters Siegmund’s sword. Hunding strikes the youth down.

Act 3: High in the mountains

Brünnhilde tries to take Sieglinde to safety, but discovers she wishes to end her own life. She only changes her mind when Brünnhilde reveals that she is carrying a child. The Valkyrie asks her sisters for help, but none dare disobey Wotan. Brünnhilde decides to delay her father herself to allow Sieglinde to escape. The furious chief god strips his daughter of her divinity and casts a spell on her: she will belong to the man who awakens her. At Brünnhilde’s behest, however, he surrounds her with protective flames that only a true hero will have the courage to pass through.

© Bálint Hirling, Müpa