Richard Wagner's vast "Der Ring des Nibelungen" cycle comprises four full-length operas ("Das Rheingold", "Die Walkure", "Siegfried" and "Gotterdammerung") and is arguably the most extraordinary achievement in the history of opera. His own libretto to the operas is an intricate system of metric patterns, imaginative metaphors and alliteration, combining to produce the music in text. This boxed set provides a line-by-line translation of the four opera librettos, a running commentary on the action and signals as to when each leitmotif appears. Each leitmotif is a musical theme or motif which denotes a character, emotion, object or event, and these musical themes were used by Wagner as a unifying force within his dramas. The listener following the opera with the libretto is able to pinpoint the various themes (in the Ring cycle there are 81 leitmotifs) and so increase understanding of the drama. Sabor's translation seeks to preserve the original metre and elucidate the complexities of Wagner's intricate libretto. The volumes are supplemented with scene-by-scene synopses, short discussions of each leitmotif, a discography, videography and bibliography. The companion volume offers essays on the meaning of the Ring, on Wagner's turbulent and fascinating life, his varied literary sources from the world of myth, the genesis of the cycle and its performance history over the last 120 years.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
The operatic world is full of guides to the psyche and music (not to mention the politics) of Richard Wagner. Can there possibly be an excuse for publishing another one? Indeed there is, when the insights are as fresh (or as well documented) and thoughtfully assembled as in this new companion to the Ring. Der Ring des Nibelungen: A Companion offers obscure details to lure even the most avid Wagnerite, but is brief and accessible enough to be of use to Wagnerian newcomers as well. Rudolph Sabor's survey of Wagner's life is necessarily brief, but still full of interesting details and insights, while his examination of the sources drawn on by the composer-librettist is extremely helpful. Wagner, who was fond of promoting an image of himself as a Jovian creator--in his mythos, his work supposedly sprang from his head full-blown with no preparation needed, like Athena from the pate of Jupiter--was actually a very careful researcher who used every bit of background he could find in his librettos. Interesting parallels are drawn to other works by Wagner, and there is a short but helpful explanation of what leitmotifs are and how they're used. Der Ring des Nibelungen: A Companion also looks at a number of important productions of the Ring, from the leafy and naturalistic to attempts to force-fit a Marxist interpretation on the mythic work; lists resources for further research; and includes a well-done bibliography and discography with the author's comments on each recording.
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A better understanding of the Ring Cycle,
This review is from: Der Ring Des Nibelungen (Ring Cycle) (Paperback)
Wagner's Der Ring de Nibelungen is one of the most complex and significant artisitic creations in the world of opera. For those eager to approach the Ring and learn about this masterpiece this is the RIGHT book. One of the keys to understanding the Ring is based on its system of leitmotifs - recurring moments used to represent carachters, objects, events or emotions. These dramatic agents are very well explained (there's a sequence of other 4 books of Mr Sabor where you'll find the libretto translations and references to the leitmotifs as they appear throughout the work). A biography of Wagner precedes a chapter regarding the sources of the Ring. These are fascinating topics about the composer and his masterpiece. There is also a great chapter telling about the Ring story and its carachters. The Bayreuth story and a full bibliography, videography and a list of all the leitmotifs complements this excellent book. After reading this book the Ring will become an even more pleasing and understandable experience.
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Information on The Ring,
This review is from: Richard Wagner Boxed Set (Ring Cycle) (Paperback)
Mr. Sabor's historical commentary, list of leitmotiven and their appearances in the operas, and side comments cannot be equaled. This elegant set of books -- one for historical analysis, overview and performance practice of the entire cycle and one for each opera in the cycle -- is especially useful for Wagner beginners as well as seasoned musicologists. The translation of the libretti is beautifully poetic -- retaining much of Wagner's original alliteration and meter -- although it is not the most literal. (It could be used for singing if one was so inclined, and is a good deal better than most translations done for this purpose). I have used this set of books for a good deal of research on The Ring and usually need no others, although I do like to compare any translations with a more literal version, like the type usually found along with a recording. The discography/videography of the Ring is useful if not the most insightful. The substance, though, is most satisfactory, and at a reasonable price, too.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
very helpful commentary and beautiful translation,
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This review is from: Richard Wagner Boxed Set (Ring Cycle) (Paperback)
Listening to the Ring with Sabor's translations and comments is very pleasant. His English is beautiful and leitmotifs are all pointed out when they occur in the libretto. (of course the German is there to see as well.) Helpful comments about orchestration and interpretion enhance the experience. Summaries of plot and explanations of leitmotifs are presented at the beginning of each act as well as expanded within the text. A great way to get to know the Ring.
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