Der Ring

In “RING,” Frank Nimsgern deliberately retells an ancient myth in a new way, merging various mythological, literary, and cultural layers into an independent dramatic narrative. The story begins with the gods testing humanity by entrusting them with the Ring of Power. When greed, the pursuit of dominance, and violence escalate, the gods reclaim the ring and cast it into the Rhine. Yet even there, its power remains unsafe: the dwarf Alberich seizes the gold from the Rhinemaidens and establishes a reign of terror in Nibelheim with the ring.

This shift in power triggers further conflicts. Wotan, the father of the gods, requires the ring to secure his own order and cunningly takes it from Alberich. In revenge, Alberich creates an artificial hero of iron and steel—Siegfried—who becomes a dragon slayer, reclaims the ring, and ultimately even overthrows Wotan in combat.

At the center lies the decisive question of whether Siegfried himself will succumb to the temptation of power, or whether love and humanity can prevail over manipulation and greed.

“RING” is an epic musical that explores themes of power, responsibility, guilt, and the destructive force of greed. At its center is a legendary ring that promises unlimited power to its bearer, yet at the same time brings ruin upon him and his surroundings. The story follows various characters who are confronted with this promise of power and must make decisions whose consequences extend far beyond their own fate.

The musical draws on motifs from Norse and Germanic mythology, particularly from the Nibelungen saga. The ring serves as a central symbol of power, possession, and moral decay. These ancient myths tell of beings such as Alberich, gods like Wotan, heroes including Siegfried and Brünnhilde, and humans who ultimately fail due to their own hubris. This material, which has been interpreted in literature and music for centuries, receives a contemporary reinterpretation in “RING.

At the core are questions of responsibility, guilt, and the consequences of personal decisions. The musical demonstrates how power can corrupt and how the desire for control can destabilize entire systems. At the same time, “RING” addresses loyalty, betrayal, and the fragility of human relationships when ethical values are sacrificed for personal advantage.