So I spent 15+ hours over the past 3 days watching Der Ring Des Nibelungen, Wagner’s Ring Cycle epic opera(s). Hot damn, y’all. It’s Lord of the Rings written almost 50 years before Tolkien was born. I knew it was based in Nordic mythology but had no idea how fun it would be with Mean Girl Mermaids, giants, dwarfs in an underworld, dragon protecting gold and the magic dark power ring (sound familiar?), gods and goddesses, Valkyries (warrior goddesses who were all illegitimate daughters of Wotan aka Odin which made his wife, Fricka, Goddess of Marriage, quite testy). And incest, a brother/sister as husband/wife who are also the illegitimate twins (though mortal) sired by Wotan. He was a busy, horny guy. I loved him, particularly because he was played in this Met production by Brynn Terfel, my favorite baritone and all around lovable guy.

I know few will ever sit through this masterpiece but if you were ever tempted to check out opera, this could get ya hooked. It’s a trip.