set design for scene #4 of 'Das Rheingold'

The final scene takes place back at Wotan's place. The scene on the floor is a partial reproduction of the garden at Versailles. The completed dream castle in the background, depicted on the hanging panels, is of the Robie House, by Frank Lloyd Wright. The construction sign advertises castle construction by the construction firm of 'Fasolt und Fafner'. The twin giants are now depicted as identical versions of 'Der Golem', from the 1920 silent film version starring Paul Wegner. Freia, the embodiment of feminine ideals (yaddah, yaddah, yaddah) is an early version of Barbie. I would love to see a costume designer do Barbie and Golems. Loge is not on stage, nor is Alberich, but Wotan has compelled Alberich to give up the Rheingold, in order to be released. Alberich gives up the gold, but places a curse on it. Fafner and Fasolt compel Wotan to give up the gold, in order to release Freia. Fafner and Fasolt now have possession of the now-cursed gold. The twin giants bicker over the gold, and Fasolt kills Fafner. Loge remarks how truly lucky Wotan was to no longer have the cursed gold, and ring.