Not currently on display at the V&A

Sword, used in Wagner's opera Gotterdammerung, ca.1976

Sword
ca. 1976 (made)
Artist/Maker
Royal Opera House Armoury (makers)
Place of origin
London (made)

This sword was created for Wagner's opera Gottterdammung at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, directed by Götz Friedrich. The production was first seen in 1976 and then revived on four occassions. The sword was devised as an answer to a practical theatrical problem. In this particular production the stage for the last act was severely raked and the chorus had difficulty in standing for the long periods of time demanded by Wagner. 'Leaning' swords were therefore created - the sword points fitted into specially constructed grooves on the stage and the chorus could then lean on them.


Object details

Categories
Entertainment & Leisure
Theatre Costume
Object type
Sword
TitleSword, used in Wagner's opera Gotterdammerung, ca.1976 (generic title)
Brief description
Sword, used by a member of the Chorus in Wagner's Gotterdammerung, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, ca.1976
Credit line
Given by the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden
Summary
This sword was created for Wagner's opera Gottterdammung at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, directed by Götz Friedrich. The production was first seen in 1976 and then revived on four occassions. The sword was devised as an answer to a practical theatrical problem. In this particular production the stage for the last act was severely raked and the chorus had difficulty in standing for the long periods of time demanded by Wagner. 'Leaning' swords were therefore created - the sword points fitted into specially constructed grooves on the stage and the chorus could then lean on them.
Associated object
S.18-1998 (Set)
Collection
Theatre and Performance Collection
Accession number
S.19-1998

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Record createdOctober 7, 2010
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1174148/sword-used-in-wagners-opera-sword-royal-opera-house/
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