"Die Walküre" is the second opera in Richard Wagner's four-opera cycle, Der Ring des Nibelungen. Premiering in 1870, it tells the story of Wotan, the chief god, and his daughter Brünnhilde, a warrior maiden. The opera explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the conflict between duty and desire. The plot centers on Wotan's struggle to protect his children while facing the consequences of his actions. Key characters include Siegmund and Sieglinde, twin siblings who fall in love, and Hunding, their adversary. The opera is renowned for its powerful music and dramatic storytelling.