Opera Bites: Second in Wagner's Ring Cycle story of love and power

On Saturday, the live high-definition broadcast from the Metropolitan Opera will be Richard Wagner's "Die Walkure." The performance can be seen at the AMC Town Plaza 5 in Cape Girardeau. Please note the early starting time of 11 a.m.

In this, the second opera of the Ring Cycle, soprano Deborah Voight will be making her debut as Brunnhilde. Bryn Terfel will be singing the role of Wotan, who is her father.

Act I begins with Siegmund arriving at a strange house; he is fleeing a storm. He meets Sieglinde and is attracted to her. When her husband Hunding arrives, he is suspicious of the young man, but because of the laws of hospitality, allows him to spend the night. Sieglinde gives Hunding a sleeping potion. She then tells Siegmund how unhappy she is, and he promises to rescue her. She shows him a sword stuck in a tree. The two realize they are twins and as Siegmund pulls the sword from the tree, he claims Sieglinde as his bride.

In Act II Wotan orders his daughter, Brunnhilde, to defend his son, Siegmund, in his fight with Hunding. However, Fricka, Wotan's wife, says this cannot happen. Wotan agrees to his wife's demands and tells an amazed Brunnhilde about the theft of the Rhinegold and Alberich's curse on it. He orders her to fight for Hunding. When she sees Siegmund, she decides to disobey her father. The young man is about to win the fight when Wotan appears and Siegmund is killed. Brunnhilde escapes with Sieglinde, who is carrying Siegmund's child.

Act III takes place on the Valkyries' rock; they refuse to help Brunnhilde hide Sieglinde from Wotan. At first the young woman wants to die but when she realizes she is going to have Siegmund's baby, she runs away. Brunnhilde now must confront her father. He tells her that she will now become a mortal woman. She asks that she be placed on a rock surrounded by fire so that only the bravest of men will be able to find her. Wotan summons Loge, the god of fire, and Brunnhilde takes her place upon the rock. She will now wait for the bravest of men to rescue her.

"Die Walkure" is the most popular of the Ring Cycle operas; it contains some of Wagner's most beautiful and sensuous love music.

It also tells a really fascinating story about the Rhinegold and the people involved in its power.

Barbara Herbert is an opera lover and host of KRCU's "Sunday Night at the Opera."