Editing Siegfried (opera) (section)

===Act 3===

Prelude to Act 3

''Scene 1''

At the foot of Brünnhilde's rock. The Wanderer summons Erda, the earth goddess (''"Wache, Wala!"''). Erda, appearing confused, is unable to offer any advice (''"Männerthaten umdämmern mir den Muth"''). Wotan informs her that he no longer fears the [[Götterdämmerung|end of the gods]]; indeed, he wills it, because he now recognizes that through his own demise the true heritage of his life will be left to the independent pair free from envy in their love, to Siegfried the Wälsung, who took Alberich's ring without succumbing to its corrupting influence thanks to his fearlessness, and Brünnhilde (Erda's and Wotan's child), who will work the deed that redeems the World (''"Dir Unweisen ruf’ ich’s in’s Ohr"''). Dismissed, Erda sinks back into the earth.<ref>Wagner (n.d.), 158–175</ref>

''Scene 2''

Siegfried arrives, and the Wanderer questions the youth (''"Mein Vöglein schwebte mir fort"''). Siegfried, who does not recognize his grandfather, answers insolently and starts down the path toward Brünnhilde's rock. The Wanderer blocks his path, but Siegfried mocks him, laughing at his floppy hat and his missing eye, and breaks his spear (the symbol and source of Wotan's authority and power) with a blow from Nothung. Wotan, accepting his fate, calmly gathers up the pieces and vanishes (''"Zieh’ hin! Ich kann dich nicht halten!"'').<ref>Wagner (n.d.), 175–193</ref>

Orchestral Interlude

''Scene 3''

[[File:Siegfried awakens Brunhild.jpg|right|thumb|260px|Siegfried awakens Brünnhilde - Otto von Richter, (1892)]]

Thanks to his fearlessness Siegfried passes through the ring of fire, emerging on Brünnhilde's rock (''"Selige Öde auf sonniger Höh’!"''). At first, he thinks the sleeping armored figure is a man. However, when he removes the armor, he finds a woman beneath.  At the sight of the first woman he has ever seen and struck with the feeling of love, Siegfried at last experiences fear. In desperation, he kisses Brünnhilde, waking her from her magic sleep. Upon waking she hails the Sun and greets Siegfried as the World's Light (''"Heil dir, Sonne! Heil dir, Licht!"''). Afraid and hesitant at first to do so, Brünnhilde is eventually won over by Siegfried's love and renounces through her love for him the world of the gods and with it her own powers ("''Ewig war ich, ewig bin ich"''). Together, they solemnly sing praises to love, in comparison with which the glory of the gods itself seems dimmed and in which even dying can be jubilant: "radiant love, laughing death!" (''"Leuchtende Liebe, lachender Tod!"'')<ref>Wagner (n.d.), 193–237</ref>