ACT II - In front of the Gibichungs' Hall

[FOR LEITMOTIFS, CLICK HERE TO SEE RJB G-04] (Vorspiel)

[FOR LEITMOTIFS, CLICK HERE TO SEE RJB G-05]

On a rocky height in the background stand altar-stones to Wotan, Fricka and Donner. It is night.  Hagen is uneasily asleep, leaning against one of the pillars of the hall. his eyes open. His father—the Nibelung Alberich—crouches before him.

Alberich is urging his son (Schlaft du Hagen mein Sohn) not to relax his efforts to gain possession of the ring. Wotan, who robbed Alberich of it, is no longer dangerous; his power lost to the last scion of the Volsungs, the race he himself begot to fulfill his purpose for him, the god now sits awaiting his end. Siegfried, who carried the ring light-heartedly away after killing Fafner, scarce conscious of what its possession could confer, has given it to Brunnhilde as her bridal ring. She is wise. Everything must be done to prevent her giving it back to the daughters of the Rhine, its rightful guardians, for in that event all would be lost. But if Hagen can, gain possession of it by hook or by crook, then Alberich and he will inherit the world. Hagen swears (Den Ring soil ich haben) to do so, and, as dawn approaches, Alberich fades away.

[FOR LEITMOTIFS, CLICK HERE TO SEE RJB G- 06]

[SIDE 7]  Hagen gazes motionless towards the Rhine, over which the light of dawn is spreading.  Siegfried steps suddenly from behind a clump of bushes; he is in his own form, but has the Tarnhelm on his head. He takes this off and hangs it on his girdle. He tells Hagen (Hioho! Hagen), so swift has been his journey, he drew the breath with which he tells him of it whilst yet upon the Valkyrie rock! Gunther is following close behind in a boat with Brunnhilde. Siegfried enquires at once (Wacht Gutrune) for Gutrune, who, when summoned by Hagen, comes from the hall and proceeds to question him a trifle jealously about the success and details of his enterprise. Siegfried tells her all, down to changing  shapes once more with Gunther in the shelter of the trees. When Hagen warns he sees a sail in the distance, Siegfried, at Gutrune's invitation, accompanies her inside the hall.

[FOR LEITMOTIFS, CLICK HERE TO SEE RJB G- 07]

Hagen, left behind, (Du, Hagen, minnig rule die Mannen) summons the Gibichung clansmen and vassals to attend the double marriage feast. Blowing loudly on a cove-horn, Hagen steps onto a rock and (Hoihol Hoiho!) proceeds to do so. He, at first, gives the impression that it is on account of some disaster or hidden danger that he is calling the vassals together.  He blows another last of the horn. Cow-horns answer from various directions. Vassals come running along the paths over the rocks and gather on the shore in front of the hall. Gradually they realize with rude hilarity that the purpose for which their weapons are required is nothing more than to slaughter sacrifices for the gods —for Wotan a steer, Froh a boar, Donner a goat and a sheep for Fricka. Hagen tells the vassals of Brunnhilde’s worth and Siegfried’s prowess. The clansmen are certain it must message good when the grim Hagen actually condescends to jest! (The German text — Der Hagedorn sticht nun nicht mehr: The hawthorn doesn't prick any more - contains a neat pun on Hagen's name.)

[FOR LEITMOTIFS, CLICK HERE TO SEE RJB G- 08]

Hagen descends from the rock among them to advise them to welcome Gunter’s bride. As Gunther and Brunnhilde step from the boat, they are hailed rapturously (Heil dir, Gunther) by the assembled clansmen. Gunther (Brunnhild' die hehrste Frau) introduces his bride, who stands pale with downcast eyes, in glowing terms, then turns to greet Siegfried and Gutrune. Brunnhilde, visibly perturbed, raises her eyes and gives a start upon seeing Siegfried. All present (Was 1st ihr?) wonder at her emotion.

[SIDE 8] She is dazed and incredulous when Siegfried, supporting her, obviously does not recognize her and Gunther informs her that his sister is to be wedded to the young hero. Next (Ha! der Ring) she spies the ring, wrested from her, as she thinks, by Gunther, upon Siegfried's finger. Hagen (Jetzt nierket klug) is careful to direct the vassals attention to what she is about to say. She demands to know how Siegfried obtained the ring from Gunther, but the latter denies ever having taken the ring from her. Half-realizing what may have happened, she accuses Siegfried of theft. The amazed Siegfried patiently explains (Von keinem Weib) how he came by the ring in the first place — not from any woman, but from a fierce dragon he had slain. Hagen butts in to bedevil matters still further with accusations of treachery. Brunnhilde (Heilige Gutter) calls upon the gods for vengeance; when Gunther would remonstrate with her, she calls him "Betrayer, himself betrayed," then proceeds (Er zwang mir Lust) to heap the grossest accusations upon Siegfried. The latter holds up his sword Nothung to witness that he has not broken faith and, amid the general clamor and dismay, offers to swear an oath upon any weapon that is offered. The vassals form a circle around Siegfried and Hagen. Hagen (Meines Speeres Spitze) proffers his spear. Laying two fingers upon the point of the spear, Siegfried affirms his loyalty his oath—if it be otherwise, may he meet his death upon that same spear-point. The infuriated Brunnhilde, striding wrathfully into the circle, tears Siegfried’s hand from the point, and, substituting her own blesses it (Hele Wehr) that it may slay the traitor. Meanwhile the clansmen (Hilf Donner) are calling upon Donner, god of thunder, to avenge the shame. Siegfried (Gunther, uwehr' deinem Weibe) tells Gunther to control his bride and suggests he should take her within until she becomes calmer. At the same time, he expresses his regret for what has happened —the disguise afforded by the tarnhelm must have been incomplete. Turning to the clansmen, he invites them (Munter, ihr Mannen) to accompany him and his bride to the wedding feast. Siegfried leads Gutrune away into the hall followed by the Vassals and the women.

[FOR LEITMOTIFS, CLICK HERE TO SEE RJB G- 09]

[SIDE 9]  When all, save Brunnhilde, Hagen and Gunther, have entered the hall, the first-named (Welches Unholds List) cries out to know who will aid her in her in misery and dire distress. Hagen offers. He whispers in Brunnhilde’s ear that he will take revenge upon the man who has deceived and betrayed her. "Who may that be?" asks Brunnhilde. When Hagen answers: "Siegfried," she derides his puny efforts in face of such a peerless hero. Hagen (Drum raune nun du) cunningly craves counsel of her. She tells him that when she rendered Siegfried's body invulnerable, knowing he would never turn his back in face of danger, she had omitted to safeguard that. "There my spear shall strike," says Hagen. He now attempts to rally Gunther, standing by engulfed in misery and shame. Brunnhilde (0 feiger Mann) heaps contempt upon the hapless Gibichung. Realizing his predicament as both deceiver and deceived, Gunther appeals to Hagen for help. The latter tells him (Dir hilft nut Siegfrieds Tod) only Siegfried's death will serve, to be reminded by Gunther that there is an oath of blood-brotherhood between himself and Siegfried. A broken bond demands blood. But Gunther professes himself unsure as to whether Siegfried has in actual fact broken his bond or if, indeed, he has betrayed him, even. Brunnhilde (Dich verriet er) has no doubts, however. Taking Gunther aside, Hagen whispers in his ear that undreamt-of power can be his if he can but secure the ring for himself; this he can only do by Siegfried's death. "Brunnhilde's ring," says Gunther. "The Nibelung's," answers Hagen. Gunther (Doch Gutrune, ach!) fears for the shock Gutrune may suffer if they carry out their intention of killing her newly-wed husband, so Hagen says they will give out that a wild boar killed him, and finally Gunther agrees. Brunnhilde and Gunther swear to be revenged, whilst Hagen exults in his anticipated triumph.

Gunther and Brunnhilde now turn to enter the hall, but are met by the out-coming bridal procession.  Gutrune beckons Brunnhilde with a friendly smile. As Brunnhilde would disassociate herself in horror, Hagen urges her towards Gunther, who takes his proposed bride by her hand and both join Siegfried and Gutrune and the rejoicing Vassals (clansmen) as the curtain falls.

Click here to go to Act III, Scene 1

Click here to return to Gotterdammerung Index