DAS RHEINGOLD - A MUSIC-DRAMA IN FOUR SCENES - The English Version by Charles Henry Meltzer

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Riley

English translation of Richard Wagner’s opera “Das Rheingold,” presented with a formal title page, publication details, and a narrative “Argument” followed by a character and scene layout. The text summarizes the four scenes: Alberich’s vow and creation of the Ring from Rhinegold, Wotan’s bargain for Freia and the giants’ claim, Alberich’s rise with the Ring and a Tarnhelm, and the curse’s consequences culminating in a rainbow bridge and the Rhine-daughters’ lament. A prologue scene description and characters’ dialogue are included.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages64

Reading Time1 h 39 min

AccessFree to download

The Argument

Scene I

Scene II

Scene III

Scene IV

Characters and Scene I Prelude

Auf dem Grunde des Rheines

DasRheingold Richard Wagner Das RheingoldRichard Wagner B IB L I0LIFE 100 Copyright ◎ BiblioLife,LLC This book represents a historical reproduction of a work originally published before1923 that is part of a unique project which provides opportunities for readers,educatorsand researchers by bringing hard-to-find original publications back into print atreasonable prices.Because this and other works are culturally important,we have madethem available as part of our commitment to protecting,preserving and promoting theworld's literature.These books are in the“public domain”and were digitized and madeavailable in cooperation with libraries,archives,and open source initiatives around theworld dedicated to this important mission. We believe that when we undertake the difficult task of re-creating these works asattractive,readable and affordable books,we further the goal of sharing these workswith a global audience,and preserving a vanishing wealth of human knowledge. Many historical books were originally published in small fonts,which can make themvery difficult to read.Accordingly,in order to improve the reading experience of thesebooks,we have created “enlarged print”versions of our books.Because of font sizevariation in the original books,some of these may not technically qualify as “large print”books,as that term is generally defined;however,we believe these versions provide anoverall improved reading experience for many. DAS RHEINGOLD A MUSIC-DRAMA IN FOUR SCENES. PRELUDE TO THE TRILOCY, “Der Ringdes Nibelungen” (THE NIBELUNG'S RING). 131 RICHARD WAGNER. THE ENGLISH VERSION BYCHARLES HENRY MELTZER. 2aterel according to Aet of Congres,n the sear 1204.h CHARLEIENRY MELTZER,at the Ofe of theLubrarian of Congrey tWashington 1904 PUBLISHED BY FRED RULLMAN,INC,NEW YORK,N.Y. 1000 # TE工E RE工工NEGOLD. THE ARGUMENT. SCENE I WoGLINDE,WELLGUNDE and FLOSSILDE,three Rhine Daughters guardingthe mysterious treasure of the Rhinegold,are visited by a Nibelung(or gnome),ALBERICH,who endeavors to win their favor Goaded to frenzy by their contemptand mockery,he utters a vow to renounce love.This enables him to lay hold ofthe Rhnegold and shape from it a Ring of mghty power. SCENE II. WoTAN,the greatest of gods has caused the giants,FASOLT and FAFNER,tobuzld him a castle,agreeing—at the instigation ofLoGE,the god of fire—to yieldFRE1A,the goddess of youth atd beauty,in payment He in van strives to avoidfulflment of his promise.Finally the giants offer to take ALBERICH's treasure in-stead.WoTAN indignantly refuses to turn thief,until,being deprived of FREIA,all the gods turn gray and old Forced to save hmself,he then desceuds to Nibel-heim,the realm of the Nibelungs,with LOGE. SCENE III. ALBERICH,with the help of the Ring,has now made himself ruler of all hiskind and has amassed a hoard of treasure He has also caused his brother,MIXE,to make him a Tarxhelm,or wishing-capIOGE cunningly persuades him to showoff the powers of thts cap,and accordngly he changes hinself,first to a dragon,andthen to a toad.In the latter form the gods seize and bind him and carry bim off aprisoner. SCENE IV. Having heen obliged to yield up ail his treasures,even the Tarnhelm and Ring,as the price of his freedom,ALBERICH lays a deadly curse ou the latter.It shallcause every one's death who owus it WoTAN is reluctant to yield this poteut tal-isinan,until warned by ERDA(the goddess of Earth)to consent On ganng it,the two giants quarrel,and FASOLT is slan Struck by the pover of the curse,WoTAN turns all his thoughts to saving himself from his menacing fate DoERclears the air with a thunderstorm,and bids his fellow-god,FROH,build a rainbowbridge for the Walhalla,their new castle of refuge As they are about to cross thebridge,the voices of the RHINE-DAUGHTERs are heard froun below,bewaling theloss of the gold. CHARACTERS. ERSTER SCENE. Auf dem Grunde des Rhcines Granhchę Dammrung.nach oben zu hchter,nachtenzu dun

FAQs

What is Das Rheingold and how is it structured in the document?

The document presents Das Rheingold as a music-drama in four scenes, followed by a concise “Argument” for Scene I through Scene IV and then a prologue-style scene description with characters’ dialogue.

What events happen in Scene I according to the Argument?

Alberich, a Nibelung, attempts to win the Rhine daughters’ favor, then renounces love after their contempt. He uses Rhinegold to create a Ring of mighty power.

How does the story develop by Scene IV?

After Alberich yields his treasures and the Ring, he places a deadly curse on it. Wotan ultimately turns to avoiding fate, while a rainbow bridge is built for the gods as the Rhine-daughters mourn the loss of the gold.

Sep 29, 2026

Uploaded by Riley