The Nibelungen saga about the dragon slayer Siegfried is considered a man’s world. The festival in Worms wants to focus on strong female figures this year. And the scenery should also inspire.
The Nibelungen Festival began with the premiere of the play “Hildensaga. A Queen’s Drama” in front of the historic Imperial Cathedral in Worms.
On a large surface of water as a stage set, the ensemble around Genija Rykova (Brünhild) and Gina Haller (Kriemhild) approached the medieval heroic epic from a new angle on Friday evening in almost three hours of play. In the mystical story about loyalty and betrayal, author Ferdinand Schmalz asks, among other things, whether a world ruled by women would be better.
The ensemble wades, swims or dives through the water for almost the entire piece. The river landscape serves “as a projection surface and mirror at the same time,” it said. Directed by Roger Vontobel, spectacular video projections could also be seen on the facade of the cathedral – such as the face of legendary actor Mario Adorf (91), who sits on the festival’s board of trustees.
Prime Minister Malu Dreyer among the guests
Among the guests at the premiere was the Prime Minister of Rhineland-Palatinate, Malu Dreyer. “The Nibelungen Festival is characterized by its willingness to keep reinventing itself. The impressive change of perspective towards a story about the strong women in the saga proves this again,” said Dreyer according to a statement.
“With this new look at the two women who take the reins of action and put a stop to the doings of the men who rebel against robbery and fraud, betrayal and rape, the Nibelungen Festival shows how an old legend is also current can address social issues,” she said.
The play runs in Worms until July 31 under the direction of Nico Hofmann. The organizers hope for a full grandstand with around 1400 seats per evening. The festival in one of the oldest cities in Germany has been taking place since 2002. The Nibelungenlied about the dragon slayer Siegfried and his murderer Hagen is considered one of the favorite sagas of the Germans. (dpa)