Interlude: Siegfried’s Rhine Journey: “(Siegfried leads the horse quickly to the rocky slope, while Bruennhilde follows. (#150/#77/#148; #111 Vari [Strongly Emphasized]: During the previous three bars Siegfried disappears with his horse down behind the rocky promontory, so that the audience can no longer see him; Bruennhilde thus stands suddenly alone at the top of the slope, gazing after Siegfried as he descends. #149 >>; #? [possibly #81’s twist?]: Bruennhilde’s gesture shows that Siegfried has now disappeared from sight. #149; #40 or #64?. Siegfried’s horn is heard from below: #103: Bruennhilde listens. #103; #149: She steps further out on to the slope. She now catches sight of Siegfried far below her: #103: she waves to him with a gesture of delight. Her joyful smile indicates that she can see the hero as he merrily goes on his way. #40b Vari; #110 Varis [are these actually #145 Varis?]; #103>>: At this point the curtain must be quickly lowered. #103 Vari; #33b Vari; #33b or #35?; #103/#33b plus #110/#111; #2/#3; #54; #37?; #2/#3; #59a/#103/#14; #13 Vari; #12; #59bc; #59 End fragment; #17; #19; #37; #12 Vari; #12 Vari; #45ab; [[ #151 ]]; [[ #152 ]]; [[ #152 Bass ]]; [[ #152 ]]; [[ #152 Bass ]]
“(The Hall of the Gibichungs on the Rhine. The hall is entirely open at the back. The back of the stage itself is occupied by an open shore extending as far as the river [Rhine]; rocky outcrops border the shore. Gunther and Gutrune sit enthroned to one side, with a table bearing drinking vessels in front of them. Hagen [their half-brother, sharing the same mother Grimhilde: Gibich is their father; Alberich is Hagen’s father] is seated in front of the table.)
Gunther: [[ #151 ]] Now hearken, Hagen! [[ #152 End Fragment]] Tell me, hero! [[ #152>> ]] do I sit here in splendour by the Rhine, Gunther, worthy of Gibich’s fame?
Hagen: [[ #151>> ]] You who are said to be true-born I deem to be worthy of envy: she who bore us brothers both, (#19) the lady Grimhilde, gave me to know the reason why.
Gunther: [[ #152 Vari ]] I envy you, don’t envy me! If I fell heir to the first-born’s ways, [[ #152 End Fragment ]] wisdom was yours alone: [[ #152 vari >> ]] half-brothers’ strife was never better settled; I merely praise your sound advice [[ #151 ]] when I ask you about my fame. [[ #152 ]]; #67 Bass?; [[ #161 End Fragment ]]
Hagen: [[ #151>> ]] Then I blame my advice, since your fame is still poor: (#24 Vari) for worthy goods I know of that the Gibichung’s not yet won.
Gunther: If you keep them hidden, I too shall chide!
Hagen: [[ #152 Vari ]] In summer’s ripe strength I see Gibich’s line, [[ #152 ]] you, Gunther, unwed, you, Gutrun’, without a husband.
([[ #151 Vari]]; #24 vari: Gunther and Gutrune are lost in silent thought.)
