Wagner: Siegfried - An Analysis

Vince Sheehan walks through each act of this opera exploring how the leitmotifs relate to the drama. Musical illustrations are played on both the piano and violin. Numbers in brackets refer to bars / measures.
Overarching theme of text: the rise and spiritual enlightenment of a hero.
Siegfried
Act 1
Scene 1: A (Prelude); B - Mime expresses his frustrations and hopes concerning Siegfried (141); C - Siegfried torments Mime (250); D - Siegfried questions Mime concerning his origins (512); E - Mime tells Siegfried about his mother (970); F - Siegfried learns of Nothung and demands for it to be reforged (1103); G - Mime despairs about how the fragments of Nothung could be reforged (1249)
Scene 2: A - Mime poses three questions to the Wanderer (1289); B - the Wanderer poses three questions to Mime (1601)
Scene 3: A - Mime tricks Siegfried into the quest to slay Fafner (1904); B - Siegfried starts forging the fragments of Nothung (2307); C - Siegfried's ode to Nothung (2430); D - Mime realises how events could work out for him and plans to poison Siegfried (2518); E - Mime prepares the poison, while Siegfried works on the sword (2627); F - Mime fantasises about future power whilst Siegfried wields Nothung (2782)
Act 2
Scene 1: A (Prelude); B - Alberich's and Wanderer's face-off (104); C - Wanderer wakes Fafner (363); D - Wanderer leaves Alberich (451)
Scene 2: A - Mime prepares Siegfried for his encounter with the dragon and sets the trap (527); B - Siegfried's monologue (714); C - Forest murmurs and birdsong (819); D - Siegfried slays Fafner (1016); E - the woodbird (1179)
Scene 3: A - the Nibelung brothers fight over the ring (1224); B - Mime tries to poison Siegfried, but Siegfried kills him first (1352); C - Siegfried takes stock of the situation (1640); D - The woodbird guides Siegfried (1793)
Act 3
Scene 1: A (Prelude); B - The Wanderer summons Erda (74); C - Erda is questioned by the Wanderer (121); D - Wanderer expresses his confidence in Siegfried (352)
Scene 2: A - The Wanderer questions Siegfried (440); B - Siegfried shatters the Wanderer's spear (553); C - Siegfried goes on his way (745)
Scene 3: A - Siegfried finds and kisses the sleeping Brunnhilde (824); B - Brunnhhilde awakens and Siegfried burns with passion. She realises with terror that she is now mortal (1067); C - they declare their love for one another (1478)

[@theenergyflowtribejamesbro1302]

What a wonderful exploration of this beautiful story. Thank you.

[@tomasprochazka1654]

Shostakovich Symphony 11 next, please

[@vincentsheehan3193]

Sure - I’ve got a couple of other pieces to do first, but I will definitely do it soon. Good choice!

[@vincentsheehan3193]

It’s up now - with a name check!