oper comprehension of 'Der Ring des Nibelungen.' The gods of
Teutonic legend are not immortal. In the Edda the death of the gods is
often mentioned, and distinct reference is made to their inevitable
downfall. Behind Valhalla towers the gigantic figure of Fate, whose
reign is eternal. The gods rule for a limited time, subject to its
decrees. This ever-present idea of inexorable doom is the guiding idea
of Wagner's great tragedy. Against the inevitable the gods plot and
scheme in vain.

The opening scene of 'Das Rheingold' is in the depths of the Rhine.
There, upon the summit of a rock, lies the mysterious treasure of the
Rhine, the Rhine-gold, guarded night and day by the three Rhine-maidens
Wellgunde, Woglinde, and Flosshilde, who circle round the rock in an
undulating dance, joyous and light-hearted 'like troutlets in a pool.'
Alberich, the prince of the Nibelungs, the strange dwarf-people who
dwell in the bowels of the earth, now appears. Clumsily he courts the
maidens, trying unsuccessfully to catch first one, then another.
Suddenly the rays of the rising sun touch the treasure on the rock and
light it into brilliant splendour. The maidens, in delight at its
beauty, incautiously reveal the secret of the Rhine-gold to the
inquisitive dwarf. The possessor of it, should he forge it into a ring,
will become the ruler of the world. But, to that end, he must renounce
the delights of love for ever. Alberich, fired with the lust of power,
hastily climbs the rock, tears away the shining treasure, and plunges
with it into the abyss, amidst the cries of the maidens, who vainly
endeavour to pursue him. The scene now changes, the waves gradually
giving place to clouds and vapour, which in turn disclose a lofty
mountainous region at the foot of which is a grassy plateau. Here lie
the sleeping forms of Wotan, the king of the gods, and Fricka, his wife.
Behind them, upon a neighbouring mountain, rise the towers of Valhalla,
Wotan's new palace, built for him by the giants Fafner and Fasolt in
order to ensure him in his sovereignty of the world. In exchange for
their labours Wotan has promised to give them Freia, the goddess of love
and beauty, but he hopes by the ingenuity of Loge, the fire-god, to
escape the fulfilment of his share of the contract. While Fricka is
upbraiding him for his rash promise Freia enters, pursued by the giants,
who come to claim their reward. Wotan refuses to let Freia go, and Froh
and Donner come to the pr