Act II - A wild rocky pass
Wotan orders the valkyrie Brünnhilde, his favorite daughter, to give victory in the forthcoming fight to Siegmund. As guardian of marriage Fricka demands vengeance against Siegmund. Wotan tries to answer that an enforced …
Act II - A wild rocky pass
Wotan orders the valkyrie Brünnhilde, his favorite daughter, to give victory in the forthcoming fight to Siegmund. As guardian of marriage Fricka demands vengeance against Siegmund. Wotan tries to answer that an enforced marriage is less sacred than the love felt by Siegmund and Sieglinde; but she objects also on the grounds that they are brother and sister, as well as the fruit of Wotan's adulterous union with a mortal woman. He tries to explain that his purpose was to create a free hero able to carry out a task forbidden to the gods, but she points out the fallacies in his arguments: Siegmund is not free, being protected by Wotan; even the sword has been left for him. He agrees unwillingly to her demands and agrees not to protect Siegmund but she demands that he also order Brünnhilde not to protect him, sweeping aside his claim that Brünnhilde is free to act as she chooses. He agrees dejectedly.
Wotan explains to Brünnhilde how he had committed the wrong of paying for the building of Valhalla with Alberich's ring, instead of returning it to the Rhinemaidens. He sought further knowledge from Erda, after which she bore him the eight valkyries, their task being to assemble an army of heroes to help the gods in battle against Alberich, in case he should regain the ring, now guarded by the dragon (ex-giant) Fafner. Wotan is powerless to take the ring because of his treaty with Fafner, so he needs a free hero to perform the task, but he has been forced to admit that Siegmund is not free.
He has learnt that Alberich has sired a son. In deep despair and revulsion he gives the unborn child his blessing, bequeathes to him the vain pomp of the gods and commands the reluctant Brünnhilde to award the victory to Hunding.
Brünnhilde watches as Sieglinde and Siegmund arrive in flight. Sieglinde is wild with terror and faints. Brünnhilde tells Siegmund he must die and follow her to Valhalla, where he will find the company of other fallen heroes, as well as Wotan and his own father (he does not know that they are one and the same) and be served by valkyries; but when he learns that Sieglinde may not follow him he refuses to go. When Brünnhilde tells him that he has no choice, that even his sword will fail him, he threatens to kill Sieglinde and the unborn child Brünnhilde tells him she is carrying. Moved by his love and distress she promises to protect him. As he looks for Hunding. Sieglinde wakes up in terror. Brünnhilde shelters Siegmund with her shield, but Wotan thrusts his spear in front of Siegmund, whose sword breaks on it, leaving him to be killed by Hunding. Wotan strikes Hunding dead with a word and prepares to pursue Brünnhilde.
Act III: https://www.bitchute.com/video/gYb9iprKdFyg/
