The tetralogy of four operas that form Der Ring des Nibelungen (`The Ring of the Nibelung') explores the conjunction of love and power in a mythic landscape in which true power resides in possession of the ring. Composed over more than a quarter of a century, monumental in scale, and structured after the precedent of Greek drama, the cycle was first performed in 1876. Staged by the award-winning director Stefan Herheim, this innovative new production from Deutsche Oper Berlin features a leading international cast conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles. In addition to working as General Music Director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin, Sir Donald Runnicles is a proven Wagner expert who is currently continuing his Ring interpretations in Hamburg, Berlin, Vienna and San Francisco, and at the BBC Proms in London, the Edinburgh International Festival and the Metropolitan Opera in New York.