A lust for power, but at a terrible price. When the sinister dwarf Alberich steals the coveted Rhine gold from the three daughters of the river, he forges a ring to bring himself infinite power over the world – but incurs the wrath of Wotan and the jealous gods.

Seemingly inexhaustible and mesmerisingly charismatic, powerhouse conductor Valery Gergiev is famed globally for the raw, visceral power of his music-making. St Petersburg’s historic Mariinsky Theatre is believed to be the first venue where Wagner conducted some of The Ring’s mighty music. With the exceptional forces of the Mariinsky Opera and a cast of international-class soloists drawn from the company’s performers, Gergiev brings his remarkable vision of Das Rheingold to the 2016 International Festival.