First Scene of The Rhinegold

The Rhinegold is the first of four operas that form Richard Wagner's operatic cycle Ring of the Nibelung. In this interpretation of the opera's first scene, three Rhine maidens gracefully dive through the water's currents as they protect their treasure, the gold of the River Rhine. The figure of Alberich, who greedily schemes to steal the Rhine gold, appears ominously in the lower-left corner of the composition.