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Wagner's massive cycle of four operas: Das Rheingold, Die Walkure, Siegfried, Gotterdammerung. Based on Norse and German legends it explores the idea of the redemption of a world lost in greed and power through love. The whole cycle can last 19 hours. In Das Rheingold the power crazy dwarf Alberich plots to steal the Rhinemaidens gold, which bestows omnipotence on its owner. Meanwhile Wotan and Loge, two powerful gods, plan to steal the gold as a ransom for the goddess Freia who has been kidnapped by giants annoyed at not being paid for building Valhalla. In Die Walkure (which includes the famous Ride of the Valkyries) the goddesses fly the souls of dead battle heroes to their new home in Valhalla but Brunnhilde (Chief Valkyrie) has fallen out with Wotan because she protected his half human son Siegmund in battle so he imprisons her on a rock surrounded by fire knowing that only a fearless hero (who he thinks doesn't exist) can save her. In Siegfried (he is the son of star-crossed lovers Siegmund and Sieglinde) we find Wotan disguised as a wandered, Alberich (the dwarf) and Mime trying to recover the Ring from Fafner (who is now a dragon) - but they are beaten to it by Siegried who kills the dragon and goes off to rescue Brunnhilde with the Ring. . In Gotterdammerung we find that Hagen (Albrich's son) has drugged Siegmund, making him fall out of love with Brunnhilde so that he can marry her himself - meanwhile Brunnhilde, angered at the fickle nature of her lover, vows revenge.
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