Talk:Das Rheingold

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

	This article falls within the scope of the Richard Wagner WikiProject, a collaboration to develop articles on the composer and his operas. The project talk page is a place to discuss issues and exchange ideas. New members are welcome!
B	This article has been rated as B-Class on the Project's quality scale.  See comments for details.

[edit] Erickson reference

Does anyone know what the full reference is for (Erickson 1975, p.94) nentioned in the text?--Dogbertd 10:38, 22 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Holda

In Act 4, Freia is referred to as Holda twice -- once by Fafner, once by herself. Does anyone know what Holda means? Wrcolbrook 15:24, 21 August 2007 (UTC)wrcolbrook

It's an alternative name for her, I believe, and it enables Wagner to engage in a little wordplay ("Freia, die Holde, Holda, die Freie"), not that the article Holda makes any mention of Freia. It's Fasolt who uses the name, by the way, not Fafner. --GuillaumeTell 17:32, 21 August 2007 (UTC)

Wrong. It's Fafner who uses the term, and later Freia herself. Does anyone know where the name Holda comes from or why it's suddenly introduced?Wrcolbrook 01:45, 22 August 2007 (UTC)

You're wrong as well (and uncivil, too). As well as Fafner's mention of Holda, Fasolt sings "Freia, die Holde, Holda, die Freie, vertragen ist's, sie tragen wir heim." If you don't believe me, look here. And I've also answered your other questions, though you don't seem to have noticed. --GuillaumeTell 21:45, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Sorry, but Freia and Holda are two different people, despite Fasolt's "play on words." In German mythology, Holda has a dark side also. I doubt that Wagner meant Freia to have a dark side. In your original "answer," you said "I believe," which implies that you're conjecturing, not answering. Do you know the difference between Holde and Holda?Wrcolbrook 23:14, 13 September 2007 (UTC)

Wagner is certainly at least treating Holda and Freia as if they are alternative names for the same goddess. Holde means "fair" and Freie means "free", so the pun that Wagner is using is "Freia the fair, Holda the free".--RLent (talk) 20:29, 30 January 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Reception and Reviews

Is it known what the audience and critics thought of Rheingold? I recall from my music history courses that several of Hr Wagner's music-dramas were less than popular when first produced. Adding this information to the article would improve it, I think. Cordially, --Drieux 17:41, 22 September 2007 (UTC)