'The Ride of the Valkyries' was composed by who?
Ride of the Valkyries Ride of the Valkyries The "Ride of the Valkyries" () refers to the beginning of act 3 of "Die Walküre", the second of the four operas constituting Richard Wagner's "Der Ring des Nibelungen". As a separate piece, the "Ride" is often heard in a purely instrumental version, which may be as short as three minutes. Together with the "Bridal Chorus" from "Lohengrin", the "Ride of the Valkyries" is one of Wagner's best-known pieces. The main theme of the "Ride", the leitmotif labelled , was first written down by the composer on 23 July 1851. The preliminary draft for the "Ride"
Ride of the Valkyries was composed in 1854 as part of the composition of the entire opera, which was fully orchestrated by the end of the first quarter of 1856. In the "Walküre" opera, the "Ride", which takes around eight minutes, begins in the prelude to the third act, building up successive layers of accompaniment until the curtain rises to reveal a mountain peak where four of the eight Valkyrie sisters of Brünnhilde have gathered in preparation for the transportation of fallen heroes to Valhalla. As they are joined by the other four, the familiar tune is carried by the orchestra, while, above it,