The Lay of the Nibelungs

By: Alice Horton - translator, uncredited

Narrated by: David Rintoul

One of the finest German medieval epic poems, The Lay of the Nibelungs is perhaps best known now as one of the principal sources for Wagner’s four-part music drama The Ring of the Nibelung. It is easy to see how Wagner was enthralled by the story and the poetry for the power of the tale drives the narrative: intense love, loyalty, jealousy, murder, duty, honour and massacre are all interwoven into a classic.

Many of the figures known to us by Wagner’s opera cycle are here: Alberich, Siegmund, Sieglind, Siegfried, Brunhilda, Gunther and Hagen, sometimes in familiar roles, sometimes very different from expectations.

The tragedy is driven by the enmity between two women who were originally friends - Brunhilda, who becomes the wife of Gunther, and Kriemhilda, Siegfried’s wife. A feud between the sisters-in-law leads to conflict and mayhem. Hagen has the dark persona which prompts him to commit treacherous murder, leading the protagonists to a final terrible end.

Unlike the Wagnerian version (he drew in the main from the Volsung Saga version, but also made the saga his own), there is no interference from gods or giants, and apart from the appearance of the ‘hood of darkness’, Tarnhelm, which confers mysterious powers on its wearer, there is little magic.

But this does not lessen the immense power of The Lay of the Nibelungs, as it moves inexorably forward to its climactic conclusion. The structure of the poem is crucial to the drama of the telling.

The anonymous poet established a form based on a steady four-line stanza with rhyming couplets. But the strength of it lies in the metre, three metrical feet, a caesura, and another three metrical feet, for the first three lines, adding an extra metrical foot for the last line for emphasis.

This classic verse translation by Alice Horton, edited by Edward Bell and revised for this recording, is still regarded by scholars as perhaps the most faithful to the 13th century German original. Though modern prose versions are available, they do not have the poetic grandeur befitting such a tale, and Horton’s verse is ideal for an audio recording. David Rintoul brings his decades of experience in classical theatre to bear in his stirring performance.

©2019 Ukemi Productions Ltd (P)2019 Ukemi Productions Ltd

Holy cow....

Wow I had no idea what I was in for. What an excellently crafted story. No wonder this is a classic. I need a cigarette.

Stupendous

A remarkable reading of a powerful piece. David Rintoul executes a passionate performance with a skillful mix of gravitas, humor, and excitement. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the classic story.

Another Fabulous Grab Bag

While a mere third of the length of Spenser’s Faerie Queene and without that poem’s heady blend of Catholic, Protestant, mystical, mythical and legendary elements, I’m going to reprise my headline for that work: this is indeed another fabulous grab bag.

Though the Nibelung poet blended a mere two elements (that I can see), these are so radically disparate that the effect is fascinating. Here we have an old Norse/Germanic saga replete with mighty men and even stronger-willed women, passion, murder and the inevitable cycle of revenge, told with all the chivalric trappings of a Medieval romance. Lances are shattered. Masses are heard. Yet behind it all broods the relentless, untrammeled fury of the pre-Christian northern stories.

David Rintoul serves it up perfectly. Unfortunately, the “modernized” text eliminates an occasional rhyme, but that’s about the only flaw in this otherwise flawless production.

Exceptional

Ending was kinda drawn out and only moderately satisfying, but otherwise absolutely amazing. Didn't feel AT ALL like 11h.

Original Game of Thrones

Exciting story filled with love, violence, betrayal, and dragons. What more could you want?! I enjoyed learning about these classic characters' origins and definitely see how this inspired many works after it. It's also another good demonstration of how an eye for an eye leaves everyone blind.