Alberich is a multifaceted figure appearing in various forms across different narratives, primarily known from the medieval German epic the Nibelungenlied and from Richard Wagner's opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen.
In the Nibelungenlied, Alberich is depicted as a dwarf and the lord of the Nibelungs, who are a race of dwarfs. He is the guardian of the Nibelungenhoard, a vast treasure that includes the magical ring known as Andvaranaut or Tarnhelm in some versions. In this epic, Alberich is tricked by Siegfried into surrendering the treasure, which later leads to much of the conflict within the story.
Richard Wagner reimagined Alberich in his epic cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen. Here, Alberich is portrayed as a power-hungry dwarf who renounces love to gain the ability to forge the Ring from the gold of the Rhine, which grants dominion over the world. Wagner's Alberich is also responsible for creating the Tarnhelm, a helmet that allows its wearer to change shape or become invisible. His character embodies the theme of the corrupting influence of power:
The character of Alberich draws from older Germanic and Norse mythology, where similar figures like Andvari in Norse mythology might have influenced his development. The name "Alberich" might be derived from Old High German elements meaning "elf-ruler" or "elf-king," reflecting his role as a ruler among the dwarfs or elves.
Alberich's character has been interpreted in various ways: