As early as 1851, Wagner wrote, 'I propose to produce my myth in three complete dramas, preceded by a lengthy Prelude.' The Prelude was "Das Rheingold" ('The Rhine Gold') the preliminary evening of Wagner's epic tetralogy "Der Ring des Nibelungen" ('The Ring of the Nibelung'), which received its first complete performance in 1876. The unfolding events of "Das Rheingold" depict the theft of the Ring forged from the Rhinemaidens' gold by the Nibelung dwarf Alberich, and his subsequent surrender of it to Wotan, ruler of the Gods, to pay his debt to the giants who constructed Valhalla. Alberich's curse foreshadows the catastrophe to come. Sir Donald Runnicles conducts an internationally acclaimed cast in this innovative new production of "Der Ring" by Norwegian director Stefan Herheim.