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Die Walküre

arts Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Die Walküre is a famous music drama.

Schott's 1899 Walkure title
Schott's 1899 Walkure title

It is the second part of a large four-part cycle. The composer was Richard Wagner. He wrote the words by 1852. He finished the music by 1856. The story comes from old Norse myths.

Die Walküre 1870 Act1 NGO4p1091
Die Walküre 1870 Act1 NGO4p1091

It follows twins named Siegmund and Sieglinde. They meet and fall in love. This makes the gods very angry. Wotan is the ruler of the gods. His daughter is Brünnhilde. She is a Valkyrie. Valkyries are beings who find heroes in battle. Brünnhilde chooses to help the twins. This act of kindness goes against her father. Because of this, Wotan punishes her. He makes her a mortal woman. He puts her into a deep sleep on a mountain.

Rhinegold and the Valkyries p 138
Rhinegold and the Valkyries p 138

Wagner used special musical themes called leitmotifs. These short tunes represent people or ideas. The music changes to show deep feelings. Many people love this work. Some people even watch it as a single show. It was first performed in Munich in 1870.

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🖼️ Images & Media (7)
Barthold Schweback in Valkyrian at...
File:Schott's 1899 Walkure title.jpg
Schott's 1899 Walkure title.jpg
File:Rhinegold and the Valkyries p 138.jpg
Rhinegold and the Valkyries p 138.jpg
File:Brynhild och Gudrun by Anders Zorn.jpg
Brynhild och Gudrun by Anders Zorn.jpg
File:Residenz1860.jpg
Residenz1860.jpg
File:Die Walküre 1870 Act1 NGO4p1091.jpg
Die Walküre 1870 Act1 NGO4p1091.jpg
File:Renatus Mészár as Wotan in Die Walküre.jpg
Renatus Mészár as Wotan in Die Walküre.jpg
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