Siegfried is the third part of the great Wagneriantetralogy, The Ring, and was first staged at Bayreuth in 1876. As the work opens, Mime sits...

Siegfried is the third part of the great Wagneriantetralogy, The Ring, and was first staged at Bayreuth in 1876. As the work opens, Mime sits by the forge in his cave in the forest, hammering out a sword and complaining about his endless labor. He can make swords strong enough for giants yet Siegfried breaks them in two like children's toys, but if he could join together the blade of the great sword Nothung, Siegfried would be able to kill the dragon giant Fafner, and then Mime could gain possession of the ring. He continues his work and his complaint. Siegfried comes cheerfully in from the forest. He is leading a bear, jokingly provoking it to attack Mime, who cowers in fear. Siegfried sets the bear free and it trots back to the wood. He had sought a friend in the forest, sounded his horn and been joined by the bear. Mime has forged a sword for Siegfried, who takes the offered weapon, looking at it critically.