Norse Gods in Opera with Iain Scott

Interest in the pantheon of Scandinavian and Icelandic gods has recently been given new currency with Neil Gaiman’s popular book on NORSE MYTHOLOGY (2017) and a series of popular TV shows and video games featuring the VIKINGS.

For many, these were an extension of the works of J R R Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings : 1937) or even earlier of William Morris’ equally influential (Sigurd the Volsung : 1876). But for most opera lovers, the Norse Pantheon is best exemplified in Richard Wagner’s four-part series of music dramas, The Ring of the Nibelung : 1876 which blends a retelling of Icelandic Sagas, Lays and Eddas, with an adaptation of middle high German Burgundian epic poetry, and homage to the 5^th century BC Greek dramatist Aeschylus.

The father-god ODIN (or Wotan) appears in Verdi’s tale of ATTILA the Hun.

He is also the (impetuous, young) protagonist of DAS RHEINGOLD, the (middle-aged crisis) protagonist of DIE WALKURE and the (saddened, world-weary) force in SIEGFRIED.

Series:
Oct. 20: Greek Myths in Opera
Oct. 27: The Trojan War in Opera
Nov. 10: Heroes & Quests
Nov. 17: Operas from the Old Testament
Nov. 24: Knights in Shining Armour
Dec. 1: Norse Gods in Opera

**Opera is not included in membership**