The Ride of the Valkyries.
A song from the opening of Act Three in Richard Wagner's opera "Die Walküre", which is the second part of "The Ring of the Nibelungs". It describes the Valkyries – daughters of Odin – wearing golden helmets and blood-red, tight body armor, mounting their white steeds and soaring above the battlefield. When they find those on the verge of death, they deliver the kiss of death and lead the souls of the fallen warriors to Valhalla. In Wagner's works, it is second in fame only to the Bridal Chorus from "Lohengrin".
Aside from opera enthusiasts, in a generation born of pop music, Hollywood films, and computer games, thanks to Francis Ford Coppola and "Apocalypse Now", even those who don't appreciate symphony, drama, ballet or opera, are familiar with this famous musical piece. Now, the Wehrmacht are about to reenact this legendary scene.
