Opera Bites: 'Met: Live in HD' season kicks off with Wagner's 'Das Rheingold'

"Das Rheingold" is the first opera of Richard Wagner's monumental "Der Ring des Nibelungen."

"'The Ring' is not just a story or a series of operas, it's a cosmos," said Robert Lepage, the director of the new cycle at the Met. The god Wotan will be sung by the Welsh bass Bryn Terfel.

"Das Rheingold" begins in the bottom of the Rhine River where the three Rhine Maidens are guarding the Rheingold. Alberich, an ugly Nibelungen dwarf, lusts after the maidens and wants to steal the gold. Whoever fashions a ring from this gold will rule the world. Alberich snatches it and disappears.

In the next scene Valhalla, the home of the gods, appears. Wotan, the head god, and his wife, Fricka, are delighted with the castle built for them by two giants. Wotan doesn't want to pay for it but when the giants appear he gives them Freia, a young goddess who guards the golden apples that keep the gods eternally young. Loge, the god of fire, suggests that Wotan seize the stolen gold and give it to the giants in exchange for Freia. He reluctantly agrees.

Wotan and Loge go to Alberich's cave to steal the gold. Alberich changes himself into a dragon, then into a toad. Wotan steps on the toad and snatches a magic helmet.

In the next scene, Wotan and Loge drag in Alberich and demand that he give them the golden ring he made. He puts a curse on it and gives it to Wotan, who is forced to give it to the giants. They fight, and Fafner kills Fasolt, his fellow giant. He leaves with his treasure as the gods cross the rainbow bridge to get to Valhalla. In the distance the song of the Rhine Maidens is heard, bewailing their loss. Now the curse of the ring has been set into motion.

The performance will last for 2 hours and 40 minutes with no intermission.

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