[3] Odin, the god of light, transforms himself into a worm in order to sneak into the giant Suttung's castle to steal the Mead of Poetry; a powerful drink which grants unlimited knowledge and insight.
Suttung's daughter, Gunnlöd, warns him of Odin's presence and he according hides his golden goblet that is filled with the special mead.
Peter Cornelius began composing Gunlöd in 1866, and continued to labor on it until his death eight years later in 1874.
Of the third act music, Cornelius had only composed the piano score for the wedding songs sung by the character Suttung.
[1] The Belgian-Danish composer Eduard Lassen re-orchestrated the opera for its world premiere production[1] which took place at the Hoftheater Weimar on May 6, 1891.