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Richard Wagner

Die Walküre

Duration
4 h 45 min, incl. 2 intervals (30 min)
When
26.8.2022 – 14.9.2022
Where
Main Stage
Genre
Opera
Price range
35-145 €
Language
German. Surtitles in finnish, swedish and english
Age recommendation
12+

An opera about the beginning of heroism

watch trailer

synopsis

Wotan has left Valhalla. He now roams the land to produce a new bloodline that is independent of the gods and could hence better fulfil their legacy. He has fathered Valkyries, who are collecting heroes from the battlefield to guard Valhalla against Alberich’s attacks.

A stranger on the run seeks refuge at Hunding’s home. Hunding’s wife offers him a refreshing drink. Once Hunding comes home, the stranger tells more about himself. His mother has been killed, his sister kidnapped, and his father lost. Now he is on the run, because he has killed two brothers in a fight. Hunding then realises that the stranger is the man he is been looking for. He allows him to stay the night, but tells him they must fight in the morning.

Hunding’s wife tells the guest about the sword that a one-eyed wanderer has thrust into a tree. No one has been able to pull the sword out since, but the stranger does it with ease. It eventually turns out that the two are twins: Siegmund and Sieglinde. They fall in love.

Wotan orders his Valkyrie daughter, Brünnhilde, to protect Siegmund while Hunding’s folks pursue him. Fricka, the goddess of marriage, demands justice for Hunding, so Wotan must sacrifice his son to maintain the order designated by gods. Wotan shares his conundrum with Brünnhilde: one who must enforce the law cannot expect to be free. Brünnhilde wants to save Siegmund, but Wotan threatens to punish her.

Wotan’s spear shatters Siegmund’s sword in a fight. Siegmund is killed. Brünnhilde escapes with Sieglinde to protect Wotan’s offspring.

The Valkyries are carrying slain war heroes to Valhalla. Brünnhilde arrives with Sieglinde. As the Valkyries do not dare to protect Sieglinde from Wotan, Brünnhilde gives her the pieces of the broken sword, Notung, and sends her off into the unknown.

Brünnhilde faces Wotan’s punishment for protecting Siegmund: to lie asleep until she is claimed by the first man who sees her.

creative team

Music
Richard Wagner
Libretto
Richard Wagner
Conductor
Hannu Lintu
Director
Anna Kelo
Sets
Mikki Kunttu
Costumes
Erika Turunen
Lighting design, Video design
Mikki Kunttu

cast

Hunding
Matti Turunen
Wotan
Tommi Hakala
Brünnhilde
Johanna Rusanen
Fricka
Niina Keitel
Helmwige
Reetta Haavisto
Gerhilde
Jenni Hietala
Ortlinde
My Johansson
Waltraute
Maria Turunen
Rossweisse
Merja Mäkelä
Grimgerde
Ida Wallén
Schwertleite
Anna Danik

listen to die Walküre

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tickets and performances

see also

  • Opera

    Siegfried

    Main Stage 24.3.2023 – 22.4.2023

  • Ballet, Opera

    The Finnish National Opera and Ballet's arena tour 2023

    External Venue 6.5.2023 – 25.5.2023

  • Opera

    The Magic Flute

    Main Stage 17.9.2022 – 26.4.2023