Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung : a companion ; the full German text

This is the first literal, word-for-word translation of Wagners epic masterwork with the full German text. It is at once reliable and readable, adhering closely to the original verse form and to Wagners poetic intentions. The German text is given in parallel, and Spencer also contributes illuminating footnotes and an introductory essay. Specially commissioned essays discuss the Cycles musical structure, its philosophical implications, its medieval sources and Wagners own changing attitude to its meaning. An appendix of Wagners rejected versions, copious notes on the translation, a glossary of the names of characters in the Ring, an extensive bibliography and reviews of CD- and video-recordings conclude the volume. Illustrations include specimens of Wagners MSS and photographs of historic productions. "An important work for Wagnerites and musical scholars." Choice There had long been a need for a modern English translation of Wagners Ring a version that would be reliable and readable yet at the same time be a true reflection of the literary quality of the German libretto. First published in 1993, this acclaimed translation, which follows the verse form of the original exactly, filled that niche. It reads smoothly and idiomatically, yet is the result of prolonged thought and deep back- ground knowledge. The translation is accompanied by Stewart Spencers introductory essay on the libretto and a series of specially commissioned texts by Barry Millington, Roger Hollinrake, Elizabeth Magee, and Warren Darcy that discuss the cycles musical structure, philosophical implications, medieval sources, and Wagners own changing attitude to its meaning. With a glossary of names, a review of audio and video recordings, and a select bibliography, this book is an essential complement to Wagners great epic. 16 black-and-white illustrations There has long been a need for a modern English translation of Wagner's Ring -- a version that is reliable and readable yet at the same time is a true reflection of the literary quality of the German libretto. This acclaimed translation, which follows the verse form of the original exactly, fills that niche. It reads smoothly and idiomatically, yet is the result of prolonged thought and deep background knowledge.The translation is accompanied by Stewart Spencer's introductory essay on the libretto and a series of specially commissioned texts by Barry Millington, Roger Hollinrake, Elizabeth Magee and Warren Darcy that discuss the cycle's musical structure, philosophical implications, medieval sources and Wagner's own changing attitude to its meaning. With a glossary of names, a review of audio and video recordings, and a select bibliography, the book is an essential complement to Wagner's great epic. Title Page 2 Other Titles of Interest 3 Dedication 4 Contents 5 Introduction 8 Chronology 16 ‘Or Strike at Me Now as I Strangle thy Knee’: a note on the text and translation 26 Wagner’s revolutionary musical reforms 38 Thematic Guide 51 ‘What shall we do for a Ring?’ 66 In pursuit of the purely human: the ‘Ring’ and its medieval sources 83 Illustrations 100 Epiphany and apocalypse in the ‘Ring’ 111 ‘The World belongs to Alberich!’ Wagner’s changing attitude towards the ‘Ring’ 138 The Ring of the Nibelung translated by Stewart Spencer 161 Das Rheingold 162 Die Walküre 427 Siegfried 746 Götterdämmerung 1127 Appendix: rejected versions 1434 Notes on the translation 1486 Glossary of names 1518 Bibliography 1529 The ‘Ring’ on compact disc and video 1552 Sources of illustrations 1556 The contributors 1557 Copyright 1559 An English translation of the text of Wagner's "Ring", with the German text given in parallel. This book also includes essays which discuss the cycle's musical structure, its philosophical implications, its medieval sources and Wagner's own changing attitude to its meaning.