If the Valkyries are on the way, the music of their famous ride will signal their coming. If Siegfried is around, or even just being discussed, listen for a swelling horn call. Just like our favorite superheroes, Wagner's heroic characters have their own theme songs (AKA: leitmotifs).

Characters, feelings, and even props have their own theme songs Music is a key storytelling element throughout the opera. Will he sacrifice his family or will he save them from an unfortunate fate? You'll have to see it for yourself to find out! This handy chart by Melanie Spector (above) will help you keep track of all the characters' relationships. Why does this matter? Wotan loves his family, however, he wants to recover the ring and it requires a 'free hero,' uninfluenced by his commitments (AKA: his crazy family). It goes on and on which leads to a pretty big mess. (Yes, this family is very into names that start with 'Sieg,' which is German for 'victory.') Siegfried later ends up pairing off with Brunnhilde, one of the Valkyries - and therefore his aunt. Reminder: they're brother and sister! They even end up having a kid named Siegfried. I n the cycle's second opera, Die Walkure, Siegmund and Sieglinde get together to the strains of a rapturous love duet. All of the Valkyries are his daughters (with Erda), and so are the Volsungs, Siegmund and Sieglinde (with someone else). Pretty much everyone is related There are a lot of family connections and incest in this operas because the god Wotan slept around a lot. A Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movie marathon would cost you twenty hours, so you're really saving time by taking in Wagner's version instead.The Ring 's hero Siegfried has to climb a mountain and cross a ring of fire to rescue a sleeping maiden.It's the story of a struggle for power waged by dwarves, men, and gods When worn, it can make the wearer invisible, transform them into an animal, or transport them long distances In these operas, there's a second magic artifact besides the ring: a helmet.Sound familiar? Although the Ring cycle and The Lord of the Rings have similar storylines, they differ a lot in the details. And yes, a broken sword must be reforged along the way.

The Ring is based on many of the same myths as Lord of the Rings If you're a big fan of Lord of the Rings, this opera is perfect for you! Like Tolkien's series, the Ring follows the creation, struggle and ultimate destruction of a golden ring that has the power to rule the world. Corey Weaver courtesy of San Francisco Opera 1.

San francisco opera ring cycle 2018