The Valkyrie (Die Walkure): English National Opera Guide 21 (English National Opera Guides) [Paperback]

Richard Wagner (Author), Nicholas John (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1984 | Series: English National Opera Guides (Book 21)

The English National Opera Guides were originally conceived in partnership with the English National Opera and edited by Nicholas John, the ENO's dramaturg, who died tragically in an accident in the Alps. Most of the guides are devoted to a single opera, which is described in detail—with many articles that cover its history and information about the composer and his times. The complete libretto is included in both the original language and in a modern singing translation—except where the opera was written in English. Each has a thematic guide to the most important musical themes in musical notation and each guide is lavishly illustrated. They also contain a bibliography and a discography which is updated at each reprint. The ENO guides are widely regarded as the best series of their kind and excellent value.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, German

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Oneworld Classics; 1st Ed. edition (April 1, 1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0714540196
• ISBN-13: 978-0714540191
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,301,505 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Amazing Translation, April 28, 2011

By 

Allen H. Nevalainen (Rockford, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Valkyrie (Die Walkure): English National Opera Guide 21 (English National Opera Guides) (Paperback)

This Opera Guide 21 (The Valkyrie) is among the finest editions in the excellent series published by English National Opera. While it is absolutely loaded with wonderful gems, my favorite feature (and the reason I HAD to own it) is the side by side presentation of the German text of Wagner's poem with the English translation by Andrew Porter.

Porter says, "This translation of "The Ring" was made for singing, acting, and hearing, not for reading." By using (almost always) the same number of syllables in each line of the text as in the German, it is possible to enjoy the German text and the music, while making quick glances at the side-by-side translation. The effect of this translation is powerful. It FITS the music, without being a literal translation, and without the flowery poetic translation in various degrees of free verse that seems typical of the genre. Having listened to about 30 operas in the last six months (most of them multiple times) I feel that this translation enhanced my enjoyment of this opera more than those I used with any of the other operas. The power of the rhythmic translation is amazing.

Additionally, there are five pages of leitmotifs presented in the book, which are cross-referenced at the spot where they occur in the text.

The several pictures of Brunhilde and her sister Valkyries from early productions (c. 1890-1914)are a hoot!

Highly recommended.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Top of the heap, January 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Valkyrie (Die Walkure): English National Opera Guide 21 (English National Opera Guides) (Paperback)

Best translation of this work. Useful explanatory notes and essays. Highest recommendation.