Although 'Rhinegold', like any of the following three parts, is a drama on its own, it reveals its entire meaning only as introduction to the complete work. In 'The Nibelung's Ring', Wagner used his own word creations the principal characteristics of which are effective alliterations. For the first time, this first part of the 'Ring' also contains the 'reminiscence motifs' (it was not until after Wagner's death that Hans von Wolzogen invented the expression of the 'leitmotif' as it is used today...