Das Rheingold or The Rhine Gold is the first of the four operas that constitute Richard Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen ('The Ring of the Nibelung'). It was originally written as an introduction to the three part Ring, but the cycle is now generally regarded as consisting of four individual operas.
Das Rheingold premiered at the National Theatre Munich on September 22, 1869. Wagner wanted this opera to premiere as part of the entire cycle, but was forced to allow the performance at the insistence of his patron King Ludwig II of Bavaria. The opera was first performed as part of the complete cycle on August 13, 1876, in the Bayreuther Festspielhaus.
This “Live” 1953 performance from the Bayreuth Festival stars Hans Hotter and is conducted by Clemens Krauss.
