
Set against a world where endless storms have postponed spring, the story opens in the House of Hunding, a grim hall where ancient feuds simmer beneath a sky heavy with omens. A lone stranger arrives, his presence stirring the old grudges of the gods and mortals alike, while the earth itself seems to sigh under the weight of age and looming change. In this charged atmosphere, the fierce Wotan, father of gods, wrestles with doubts about his own strength as dark whispers echo through the halls of Walhalla.
Amid the thunderous backdrop, the heroic Siegmund steps forward, bound by a destiny that intertwines love, duty, and the restless spirits of the land. His encounter with the defiant Valkyrie Brunnhilde hints at a bond that could alter the fate of both men and gods. As the first act unfolds, listeners are drawn into a mythic struggle where storm and silence each hold their own power, promising a tale of passion, prophecy, and the timeless clash between mortal will and divine decree.
Language
en
Duration
~2 hours (166K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Marc D'Hooghe (Images generously made available by the Google Books Project.)
Release date
2014-06-28
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1867–1940
Best known for the deliciously funny Mapp and Lucia novels, this English writer mixed sharp social comedy with ghost stories, memoir, and a remarkably varied literary career. His books still charm readers with their wit, atmosphere, and close observation of small-town rivalry and human vanity.
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1813–1883
A towering and controversial figure in 19th-century music, this German composer transformed opera into sweeping music dramas built from myth, poetry, and unforgettable leitmotifs. His works, especially the four-opera Ring cycle, still shape the sound and ambition of opera today.
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