 When Wagner began the composition of the "Ring" in November 1853 he was living with his first wife Minna Planer at 13 Zeltweg, Zürich, and it was there that "Das Rheingold", "Die Walküre" and the first act of "Siegfried" were for the most part composed.At this time Wagner's straitened circumstances compelled him to accept financial assistance from a wealthy silk merchant, Otto Wesendonck.On 28 April 1857 Wagner and Minna moved into the "Asyl", a small cottage on Wesendonck's new estate near Zürich, which the generous patron had placed at Wagner's disposal.