Reyer - Sigurd (part 4 of 4)

Part 4 of Ernest Reyer's "Sigurd," opera in 4 acts and 9 scenes presented by the Opéra de Marseille in June 1995 production, starring Alberto Cupido in the title role and Françoise Pollet as Brunehild.
This is part 4 of 4 of that performance containing act 4.
The cast for this act in order of vocal appearance:
Brunehild - Françoise Pollet
Hilda - Cécile Perrin
Gunther - Jean-Philippe Lafont
Hagen - Antoine Garcin
Sigurd - Alberto Cupido
Uta - Viorica Cortez
Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet of the Opéra de Marseille
Conductor: Dietfried Bernet
Synopsis for act 4:
A terrace of the castle of Gunther. Among people who gather around the fountain to collect fresh water, Brunehild is haunted by mysterious malady. In powerful aria she confesses her love for Sigurd and implores Odin to destroy her. Hilda seeing Brunehild leaving the palace, pauses for the moment with jealous mistrust, then approaches her and tries to comfort her until she discovers that on mere mentioning of name of Sigurd Brunehild clearly trembles. Dramatic scene full of mistrust and jealousy follows during which Hilda in contempt shows Brunehild the golden belt of silk which, she says, Sigurd gave her, but it is the same which Brunehild previously gifted Sigurd during their first encounter. Now Brunehild realizes the trick played upon her and excited scene of jealousy follows during which each woman claim Sigurd for herself. When Gunther and Hagen arrive, Brunehild openly accuses king of treachery and announces her marriage to him void stating that gods granted her Sigurd whom she loves. One of them, the king or Sigurd, must die tonight - she says. Panic stricken Hilda, in sudden afflux of guilt, confesses before Gunther her role in exposing king's secret. Horrified Gunther curses her while Hagen pushes her aside ordering to recall Sigurd at once. Broken and in shame, Gunther momentarily considers using the sword to end his life but Hagen persuades him that to clear his shame it is rather Sigurd who must die instead.
In unfolding scene Brunehild and Sigurd meet at the fountain while secretly being observed in shadow by Gunther and Hagen. Brunehild dispels the influence of Uta's potion with a charm, and Sigurd's love changes. On hearing that, furious Gunther makes sudden rush towards Sigurd but Hagen stops him. Brunehild notices, however, shine of a dagger in the shade and calls on Sigurd to draw his sword. In powerful and most passionate duet they declare eternal love to each other after which Sigurd leaves for battle while being quickly followed by Hagen and Gunther who calls to strike treacherous blow. Horrified Brunehild knows what that means, predicting that Sigurd will die, at the same time feeling as if that sharp steel which killed him pierces also through her own heart. Soon they bring the dying hero back to this place: they die together side by side.
Gunther orders to make for them the funeral pile while swearing to punish the murderer. Hilda challenges him publicly as the one guilty of Sigurd's murder. In the unfolding fast commotion, while Gunther curses her she, in spite of a danger for her own life in angry vision predicts the fall of Gunther and his entire kingdom by the will of gods and vengeanceful forces of Attila. Hagen is ordered to silence her forever but before she dies she passes her bracelet, a gift from Attila, to her nurse Uta with a message. In powerful apotheosis choir sings the hymn of eternal love while Sigurd and Brunehild are seen ascending to heaven.