'Siegfried', the third part of Wagner's Ring des ‘Nibelungen, is now available. Framed by the much darker operas 'Die Walküre' and 'Götterdämmerung', 'Siegfried' acts as their bright counterpart. Its musical action is characterized by cheerfulness and idyllic natural scenes. And yet, 'Siegfried' is not without dramatic elements.

A quarter of a century was to pass from the first (text) sketches to the world premiere. In that time Wagner wrote and premiered 'Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg' as w...