Erda, the wise Earth Goddess, tells Wotan about the Norns who are weaving the rope of destiny.
She is surprised to hear how Wotan has punished Brünnhilde.
Wotan says he now looks forward to the end of the gods, and wants Siegfried to take his place.

Siegfried arrives.
He tells Wotan (who is a stranger to him) about his heroic deed with the dragon.
He finds Wotan annoying and smashes Wotan’s sword.
He goes to the rock where Brünnhilde is lying.

Siegfried bursts through the flames and finds the sleeping Brünnhilde.
He gently takes off her helmet, then her breastplate.
Suddenly he sees that she is a woman.
He has never seen a woman before.
For the first time in his life he is frightened, yet he very much wants to wake her up.
He kisses her lips and she opens her eyes and sits up.
She tells him that she has always loved him, even long before he was born.
Siegfried feels his passion growing and tries to put his arms round her, but now it is Brünnhilde who is frightened.
She tells him not to spoil the purity of their love.
Finally they embrace.
Erda, the wise Earth Goddess, tells Wotan about the Norns who are weaving the rope of destiny. She is surprised to hear how Wotan has punished Brünnhilde. Wotan says he now looks forward to the end of the gods, and wants Siegfried to take his place.
Siegfried arrives. He tells Wotan (who is a stranger to him) about his heroic deed with the dragon. He finds Wotan annoying and smashes Wotan’s sword. He goes to the rock where Brünnhilde is lying.
Siegfried bursts through the flames and finds the sleeping Brünnhilde. He gently takes off her helmet, then her breastplate. Suddenly he sees that she is a woman. He has never seen a woman before. For the first time in his life he is frightened, yet he very much wants to wake her up. He kisses her lips and she opens her eyes and sits up. She tells him that she has always loved him, even long before he was born. Siegfried feels his passion growing and tries to put his arms round her, but now it is Brünnhilde who is frightened. She tells him not to spoil the purity of their love. Finally they embrace.
Siegfried (opera)