The Ride of the Valkyries .
The Ride of the Valkyries is the popular term to refer to the beginning of the third act of The Valkyrie, the second opera of the tetralogy The Ring of the Nibelung, composed by Richard Wagner.
The main theme of the Cabalgata, the leitmotif called Walkürenritt, was written by the composer on July 23, 1851 and completed the preliminary draft of the Cabalgata in 1854, as part of the composition of the opera, the orchestration of which was fully completed by the end of the first quarter of 1856.
Together with the Lohengrin Wedding Choir, The Ride of the Valkyries is one of Wagner's best-known pieces.
At the opera house, the Cavalcade, which lasts eight minutes, begins in the prelude to the act, with instruments being successively added to the accompaniment until the curtain rises and the peak of a mountain is seen where four of the eight Valkyries sisters have gathered. of Brunhilda to prepare the transport of the fallen heroes to Valhalla.
As the other four join, the orchestra plays the familiar melody, while above it, the Valkyries greet each other and sing their battle cry.
Apart from the song of the Rhine Maidens (Rhinemaidens) in The Gold of the Rhine, it is the only ensemble piece in Wagner's first three operas of the Ring cycle. Outside of the opera house, it is common to listen to only the instrumental version, which can last about three minutes.
Music has the ability to alter our perception of time and even create an alternate temporal universe.
Therefore, if you have ever driven listening to Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries and have noticed that you were speeding unconsciously, the explanation is only in the music.
