Richard Wagner - his life and works (1892) (14577399937)

Identifier: richardwagnerhis02jull (find matches)
Title: Richard Wagner : his life and works
Year: 1892 (1890s)
Authors: Jullien, Adolphe, 1845-1932 Hall, Florence Percival, tr
Subjects: Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883
Publisher: Boston : J.B. Millet
Contributing Library: Harold B. Lee Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University



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tree, and by a supreme effort, wrests from it the sword,which he christens immediately with the sad name ofNothung (distress) in memory of his past life. At this greatdeed, Sieglinda cries; I recognize thee ; thou art Seig-mund, the beloved brother of my dreams; I am thine! And Siegmund replies, Thou hast said it; a sister and atrue love, — I find them both in thee! The two loversflee together, and Hunding follows them in furious pursuit. The second act opens with a grand counsel of the Godsassembled in their palace. Wotan, well disposed towardshis son Siegmund, wishes to defend him in his combatwith Hunding. He calls to him Brunhilda, the bravest andmost beautiful of the nine Walklires, those warrior maidenswho sustain heroes during combats, and conduct them, afterdeath, to Walhalla. He commands Brunhilda to descendupon the earth, in order to protect Siegmund in his struggleagainst Hunding. But he soon changes his mind, uponthe earnest remonstrances of his wife Fricka, indignant at
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I o O Q 2 z w £■ 13 X .5 — C o ° e o J w • 11 o 286 RICHARD WAGNER the sacrilege committed by Siegmund, and his cowardlyflight before Hunding. It is settled ; Siegmund must perish,and it is Brunhilda, the Walkure, who is to watch over thefulfillment of this decree. She allows herself, however, to betouched by the nobleness of the young heros love, and,in the thickest of the combat, against the command of Wo-tan, she parries Hundings blows with her shield. ButWotan, suddenly appearing, breaks with his all-powerfullance the sword of Siegmund, who falls, mortally woundedby Hunding. Brunhilda picks up the broken pieces of thesword, and supporting the fainting Sieglinda, she goes to joinher sisters upon the rocks of Briinhildenstein. There, Sieg-linda wishes to die, but Brunhilda commands her to live forthe hero whom she will bring forth. Accordingly Sieglindaflees upon Brunhildas horse, carrying with her the fragmentsof the sword, and the Walkure remains to stand her trialbefore h