Synopsis

Brünnhilde’s eight sisters, the Valkyries, are on their way to Valhalla, the fortress of their father and ruler of the gods Wotan, to report on the fallen heroes they have gathered (“The Ride of the

Valkyries”). When Brünnhilde arrives with Sieglinde, whom she had rescued from a battlefield, the Valkyries refuse to shelter them for fear of Wotan’s wrath. Brünnhilde gives Sieglinde the broken pieces of Nothung, the sword of her fallen lover, Siegmund, which Wotan shattered. She sends Sieglinde to seek refuge in the forest where the dragon Fafner hides, safe from Wotan. Sieglinde takes some comfort in the knowledge that she will bear Siegmund’s son, Siegfried, whom Brünnhilde predicts will be the greatest of all heroes.

Wotan arrives, chastising Brünnhilde for her betrayal in protecting Siegmund and Sieglinde against his will. He sentences her to be stripped of her status as a Valkyrie and to become mortal, left asleep on the mountaintop to be claimed by the first mortal man to awaken her. Brünnhilde first declares she’d rather perish than endure such a punishment, then begs mercy of Wotan for herself, his favorite child, to be surrounded by terrifying flames so only the bravest of heroes will awaken her. Wotan agrees, regretfully leaving his daughter to her long sleep, surrounded by a blazing fire (“Magic Fire Music”).