Wagner der Ring des Nibelungen Siegfried

Siegfried, the third opera of Wagner's monumental Ring cycle, follows the young hero as he awakens from magical slumber and ventures into the world. Raised in ignorance of his true parentage by the dwarf Mime, Siegfried possesses extraordinary strength and fearlessness. He reforges the shattered sword Nothung and uses it to slay the dragon Fafner, guardian of the Rhinegold and the Ring. Tasting the dragon's blood grants Siegfried the ability to understand the language of birds, who warn him of Mime's treachery. He kills his foster father and continues his quest, guided by the Wanderer—Wotan in disguise—toward the sleeping Brünnhilde. Siegfried penetrates the wall of fire surrounding the Valkyrie and awakens her with a kiss, their union representing the triumph of youthful heroism and love. Yet this moment of glory contains the seeds of tragedy, as the curse of the Ring begins its inexorable work.