Siegfried has been described as the Scherzo of the Ring cycle. While it certainly has its amusing moments, it also lays the groundwork for the culminating end of the world. This is heralded by Wotan’s recognition of the inevitable and Siegfried’s destruction of his father’s spear, signifying the voiding of the gods’ contract with the other races. These serious implications are well drawn out by Suzanne Chaundy’s production for Melbourne Opera, which also continues to entertain…
