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Title Page
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Guide to abbreviations used in text
Allen Dunning's numbered Guide to the Ring's Musical Motifs
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The Ring

Introduction


References
Appendix I
Appendix I I

Key Colour Coding

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I would be grateful for donations of any size, small or large, to help defray the cost (1) of maintaining this website, (2) and to finance my past and present research which produced my book posted here, Volume One of "The Wound That Will Never Heal," and my forthcoming revision of Volume One (to be submitted for publication), and completion of Volume Two on Wagner's six other canonic operas and music-dramas. I sacrificed at least seven years of paid employment and incurred debts to complete this project, and am currently unemployed, so I thank you in advance for any financial help you can provide. Your friend, Paul Heise.

The Rhinegold: Scene Three 191-226

[R.3] Nibelheim: Wotan, Loge, Mime, Alberich (at one point transformed into a Serpent), Nibelungs 191-226

 

• [R.3: A] Alberich, designer of the Tarnhelm (#42), takes it from its maker, Mime. (#43) Making himself invisible with the Tarnhelm, Alberich whips Mime to teach him the power of its  magic.  191-194

• [R.3: B] Wotan and Loge learn Mime (#44) is enslaved to his brother Alberich.  194-195

• [R.3: C] Mime tells how Alberich enslaved the Nibelungs with his Ring.  195-197

• [R.3: D] Mime tells how he failed to win the Tarnhelm from Alberich.  198-199

• [R.3: E] Loge will free the Nibelungs from Alberich through cunning.  199-200

• [R.3: F] Alberich (#45) dominates his fellow Nibelungs with the  Ring's power. With the Tarnhelm, Alberich wields power where least expected.  200-204

• [R.3: G] Alberich: Just as my cousin Loge betrayed me, he’ll betray the gods. (#47) I can defy you all!  204-207

• [R.3: H] Alberich: I'll obtain world-power through my (#46) Nibelung Hoard.  208-213

• [R.3: I] Alberich: Like me, all others will forswear love for gold’s sake.  213-216

• [R.3: J] Alberich: The gods’ men and women will yield to my loveless power.  216-217

• [R.3: K] Alberich: Beware the day my Hoard rises from silent depths.  217-220

• [R.3: L] Loge: Alberich, what happens if a thief finds you asleep?  220-222

• [R.3: M] Alberich transforms himself into a (#48) dragon and (#49) toad; Wotan captures him.  222-226

The Rhinegold: Scene Four 227-292

[R.4] On a meadow outside Valhalla: Wotan Loge, Alberich, Froh, Donner, Freia, Erda, and the Rhinedaughters 227-292

• [R.4: A] Wotan: Alberich, ransom yourself.  227-232

• [R.4: B] Wotan forces Alberich  to ransom himself  with his Hoard and Tarnhelm. Alberich: You hypocrites dare to draw profit from my sacrifice, my "Noth"!  232-234

• [R.4: C] Wotan demands Alberich's Ring. Alberich: Wotan, you sin against Erda (all that was, is, and will be) if you co-opt my Ring power. Wotan forcefully dispossesses Alberich of his Ring.  234-241

• [R.4: D] Wotan: (to  Loge) Set him free. Alberich: (#50) Am I really free? Here's freedom's first greeting: [Alberich’s Ring-curse:] (#51) What I won through a curse is now  accursed. Its limitless might now spells death to  its owner.  241-243

• [R.4: E] Alberich: The Ring’s owner will be cursed with insatiable greed and (#52) existential fear of death.  243-249

• [R.4: F] Freia, restored to the gods, inspires her brother Froh’s gratitude.  249-251