Soft Valkyrie

Previously on Soft Valkyrie, Brunnhilde explained herself further to Wotan, first asking for his mercy, but eventually proudly embracing her decision and fate, with no regrets. She has helped save the Walsung family, by sending Sieglinde and the broken sword off to the forest, where the mother-to-be will soon give birth to the heroic child of incest, Siegfried. Wotan responded with ambivalence, acknowledging that her defense of Siegmund reflected his deeper intentions, but he remains committe...

Previously on Soft Valkyrie. After Wotan threw a fit on discovering that Brunnhilde’s eight sisters were hiding her from him, she finally willingly came forward to submit to his punishments. He explained his plan– to put her into a deep coma, and leave her to lie in wait. She will only awaken if someone braves the danger to find her. And then she will marry this savior. The valkyries were appalled at this idea, and begged their father to revoke his sentence, but Wotan denied them in spite and...

Previously on Soft Valkyrie. Brunhilde arrived at the Valkyrie’s rock, where her sisters were gathering with corpses of heroes to bring to Valhalla, Wotan’s debt-plagued palace of death. She asked for someone to help with Sieglinde, who exited East with a sublime finale. But no sooner was this goal achieved than Wotan appeared in a fury, preparing to inflict the severest punishment on his daughter for her insubordination.Click here for the full-score and for the libretto. Soft ValkyriePresent...

Welcome back to Soft Valkyrie. We’ve just left the scene of battle, where Wotan was flying into a rage at Brunnhilde’s disobedience. Now, look off to the horizon. See that peak out there? T hat’s where Brunhilde’s sisters, the other Valkyries, like to gather and play with their dead heroes. Brunhilde has just escaped the scene of battle with Sieglinde in tow, and must be headed in their direction to ask for help. Let’s fly on over, and see how things are going.Click here for the full-score an...

Previously on Soft Valkyrie. Siegmund met Brunhilde, who came bearing bad news at first. A noble death dialog ensued. But no sooner had Siegmund valiantly threatened to murder his new sister-bride so as to meet her in Valhalla when he died, Brunhile changed her mind, and joined Siegmund’s side, against their father’s wishes. Now Hunding approaches, and we will see how things play out.Click here for the full-score and for the libretto. Soft ValkyriePresented and commissioned by Holland Festiva...

Previously on Soft Valkyrie. Sieglinde and Siegmund were shown in a terrible mood far from the erotic bliss of their innocent foray into brother-sister cuckoldry. They realize what they’ve done, and what fate awaits them when they are discovered by Hunding and his hounds. Both are utterly frazzled and preoccupied with thoughts of death, when Brunhilde appears.Click here for the full-score and for the libretto. Soft ValkyriePresented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with S...

Previously on Soft Valkyrie. Wotan confessed the end of his backstory to Brunhilde, and passed on to her the bad news that she must not help Siegmund. Rather she must lead him to his death. Wotan left, leaving Brunhilde alone, whence she took her horse bridle and went off in search of Siegmund. Click here for the full-score and for the libretto. Soft ValkyriePresented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with Staatsoper Hannover and Dutch National Opera. Full CreditsMus...

Previously on Soft Valkyrie. Wotan began to describe his backstory to Brunhilde. We learn of Alberich’s theft of the Rhinegold, of the laborer Fafner’s departure with the gold in the form of a dragon, and of Wotan’s desire to kill him which is impeded by his contractual obligation. Click here for the full-score and for the libretto. Soft ValkyriePresented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with Staatsoper Hannover and Dutch National Opera. Full CreditsMusic and libre...

Previously on Soft Valkyrie. We learned that Fricka is none too happy about this incestuous cuckoldry. In her sovereignty as the god of marriage, she has elicited a commitment from Wotan not to help Siegmund during the coming battle. Instead, Hunding should prevail, and avenge the affair. …Now Wotan is alone with Brunhilde, to whom he must convey the altered plans.Click here for the full-score and for the libretto. Soft ValkyriePresented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration w...

Previously on Soft Valkyrie, Wotan had a brief meeting with his daughter, the Valkyrie Brunhilde. No sooner had he commanded her to aid Siegmund in the coming battle with Hunding, the great god’s wife arrived with a different plan. Click here for the full-score and for the libretto. Soft ValkyriePresented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with Staatsoper Hannover and Dutch National Opera. Full CreditsMusic and libretto - Richard WagnerEnglish translation ...

When we left off, Siegmund and Sieglinde had just embarked on their incestuous adventure, leaving behind Sieglinde’s cuckolded husband Hunding to wake up to the bad news at dawn. We've since walked several miles from the forest of Hunding's hut, and are now at the base of a mountain where the couple's father spends his time–Wolf, as they called him, or Wotan, Odin–god of contracts and bad weather. It is a new day, at high noon. Let's see what happens next. Click here for the full-score ...

Episode 4: Kisses in the NightSiegmund, all alone and desperate, discovers the sword his father had left for him in the ash tree. With her husband Hunding fast asleep, Sieglinde re-enters the room. The two indulge in their incestuous desire. Note: to hear Soft Valkyrie with live English, German or Dutch subtitles, please go to Youtube. Click here for the full-score and for the libretto. Soft ValkyriePresented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with Staatsoper Han...

Hunding jumps up and reveals that he knows that Siegmund is not just any guest. He is the man Hunding and his crew had been chasing. He offers him one night of repose under his roof, and announces to fight him the following morning. Note: to hear Soft Valkyrie with live English, German or Dutch subtitles, please go to Youtube. Click here for the full-score and for the libretto. Soft ValkyriePresented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with Staatsoper Hannover and Dutc...

Hunding arrives home. Unhappy to find a stranger there with his wife and brimming with suspicion, he embarks on an intense interrogation of his guest. Note: to hear Soft Valkyrie with live English, German or Dutch subtitles, please go to Youtube. Click here for the full-score and for the libretto. Soft ValkyriePresented and commissioned by Holland Festival in collaboration with Staatsoper Hannover and Dutch National Opera. Full CreditsMusic and libretto - Richard WagnerEnglish tra...

Note: to hear Soft Valkyrie with live English, German or Dutch subtitles, please go to Youtube. Click here for the full-score and for the libretto. Welcome to Soft Valkyrie, a podcast version of Die Walküre, the second and most intimate opera of Wagner’s Ring cycle. You are entering a realm of gods, dwarves, giants, horses, money, contracts, and dogs. In this episode, we meet Siegmund (Bryan the Mensah). On the run from his enemies, he seeks shelter in a house in the woods. There h...

Trailer for Soft Valkyrie, a contemporary podcast version of Richard Wagner's Die Walküre - commissioned by Holland Festival, Staatsoper Hannover and Dutch National Opera. First episode coming June 3rd!