SIEGFRIED _Tenor_ MIME _Tenor_ WOTAN (disguised as the WANDERER) _Baritone-Bass_ ALBERICH _Baritone-Bass_ FAFNER _Bass_ ERDA _Contralto_ FOREST BIRD _Soprano_ BRÜNNHILDE _Soprano_
_Place_--A rocky cave in the forest; deep in the forest; wild region at foot of a rocky mount; the Brünnhilde-rock.
The Nibelungs were not present in the dramatic action of "The Valkyr," though the sinister influence of _Alberich_ shaped the tragedy of _Siegmund's_ death. In "Siegfried" several characters of "The Rhinegold," who do not take part in "The Valkyr," reappear. These are the Nibelungs _Alberich_ and _Mime_; the giant _Fafner_, who in the guise of a serpent guards the Ring, the Tarnhelmet, and the Nibelung hoard in a cavern, and _Erda_.
_Siegfried_ has been born of _Sieglinde_, who died in giving birth to him. This scion of the Wälsung race has been reared by _Mime_, who found him in the forest by his dead mother's side. _Mime_ is plotting to obtain possession of the ring and of _Fafner's_ other treasures, and hopes to be aided in his designs by the lusty youth. _Wotan_, disguised as a wanderer, is watching the course of events, again hopeful that a hero of the Wälsung race will free the gods from _Alberich's_ curse. Surrounded by magic fire, _Brünnhilde_ still lies in deep slumber on the Brünnhilde Rock.
The _Vorspiel_ of "Siegfried" is expressive of _Mime's_ planning and plotting. It begins with music of a mysterious brooding character. Mingling with this is the Motive of the Hoard, familiar from "The Rhinegold." Then is heard the Nibelung Motive. After reaching a forceful climax it passes over to the Motive of the Ring, which rises from pianissimo to a crashing climax. The ring is to be the prize of all _Mime's_ plotting. He hopes to weld the pieces of _Siegmund's_ sword together, and that with this sword _Siegfried_ will slay _Fafner_. Then _Mime_ will slay _Siegfried_ and possess himself of the ring. Thus it is to serve his own ends only, that _Mime_ is craftily rearing _Siegfried_.
The opening scene shows _Mime_ forging a sword at a natural forge formed in a rocky cave. In a soliloquy he discloses the purpose of his labours and laments that _Siegfried_ shivers every sword which has been forged for him. Could he (_Mime_) but unite the pieces of _Siegmund's_ sword! At this thought the Sword Motive rings out brilliantly, and is jubilantly repeated, accompanied by a variant of the Walhalla Motive. For if the pieces of the sword were welded together, and _Siegfried_ were with it to slay _Fafner_, _Mime_ could surreptitiously obtain possession of the ring, slay _Siegfried_, rule over the gods in Walhalla, and circumvent _Alberich's_ plans for regaining the hoard.