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Read this libretto so you can listen to the music with better understanding
Essential alternative to CD librettos
Buy it now before it disappears!
magnificent in every way
A translation for singing

The Ring of the Nibelung
Richard Wagner
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson Ltd
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0500233241

Customer Reviews:

Read this libretto so you can listen to the music with better understanding.......2006-03-09

The Ring cycle by Wagner is a big, popular, and important work. Yet, the story is not as well known as you might assume. It is one thing to hear the music and some idea of the broad strokes of the story, but it is another to dig into it. Here is a way for English speakers to get to know the story. It provides the original German for comparison and checking the translation, if you wish. But the story reads very well in the English.

Andrew Porter provides an opening essay explaining his goals in this translation and what problems and compromises had to be made. He made this translation in order to be SUNG with the music. It is practical in that sense. Some of the literalness of the translation had to be sacrificed, but the meaning of the passages has been preserved.

This translation was never meant to be a poetic translation, although there are some very nicely done passages. Wagner's German isn't all that lyric, for that matter.

What is the story? This is Wagner's attempt to reuse some ideas from the Norse myths into a modern (for the 19th century) Germanic myth. It revolves around some gold stolen from the Rhinemaidens and fashioned into a Ring by a miserable dwarf. This Ring gives its bearer the power to enslave the world, but brings with it a great curse. The Ring brings its power and curse to its maker, to Wotan, to Fafner, to Seigfried, and even Brunhilde. These are stories of hatred, love, betrayal, promises made and broken, heroism, cowardice, and death. So, it makes for great dramatic opportunities for a great cycle of operas.

Enjoy reading the story so when you listen to it in German you have a much better understanding of what is going on.

Essential alternative to CD librettos.......2005-08-27

I bought this book hoping to better understand the text that appears poorly translated in CD librettos. I found that not only the poem (as Wagner called it) is more readable and understandable, but also perfectly matches the music sung in German, so one can read it in English following every syllable along with the music. And that is an important feature for the ring operas, or for all Wagner operas for that matter, mainly because the orchestra contributes so much to the meaning of what the characters are saying. I highly recommend this book to whoever is in the pursuit to better understand the ring operas. I only wish from this book that it had a Spanish translation as well, but I guess that would be asking way too much.

Buy it now before it disappears!.......2002-12-24

I am an avid reader of the Nibelung legend and will acquire it in any form I can find. Whether it be Wagner's opera, Lang's motion picture, illustrated books, novelized accounts, or various translations of the epic, I seek them with much vigor. This work of art escaped my attention until now, and it is with great fervor and joy that I heartedly recommend it to you. The reproductions of the paintings are exceptional in quality. The coffee table size book allows you to clearly see all the details that Ul De Rico invested in each painting. The paintings represent key moments in Richard Wagner's Der Ring Des Nibelungen and there are multiple images presented in each painting which presents a vivid progression of a scene. Whether it's Alberich's theft of the ring or Fafnir's slaying of Fasolt, you will be transported to the time of myth by the fabulous artistry of Ul De Rico. His paintings display the passion and sensual nature of the Ring that so eludes current opera directors and designers. Since this book is now out of print, you should not hesitate to purchase it now, at an incredibaly reasonable price... I guarantee you will not be disappointed, but you may become so if the few editions that are available vanish before you decide.

magnificent in every way.......2000-06-07

I had the pleasure to acquire a copy of this book in the summer of 1981 in Seattle during the annual Ring festival. Almost 20 years later it remains a treasured part of my library. This large and heavy coffee table book is devoted to reproductions of Ul de Rico's numerous paintings of various scenes from the Ring. The original paintings were rendered in oil on solid wooden panels, and were rendered in a highly realistic manner with very bold and dramatic color saturation. Compared to the works of Arthur Rackham, Ul de Rico in my view is the more effective and powerful illustrator. These images come as close as one could imagine to ideal, producing visual effects one is never likely to see in Bayreuth or anywhere else. The photographs are printed on high gloss paper, and are accompanied simply by a few lines each, in English, of the applicable libretti. Interestingly, all of the images from the first three operas have the Three Norns exchanging the thread of fate around the perimeter, which is a very interesting effect. This continues early in Gotterdammerung until the moment in the Prologue where the thread breaks, upon which the Norns have a dramatic descent. This very image was used as the cover of the Ring highlights recording that Solti made with the VPO in 1983, just prior to his conducting in Bayreuth of the centenary Ring. Incidentally, the book also includes a very high compliment, in the Preface, by George Solti himself.

This book is well worth seeking out and will provide years of lasting enjoyment. I can't speak highly enough for it.

A translation for singing.......2000-04-09

Andrew Porter's English translation of the 'Ring' was written to be sung. It has been used in performances of the 'Ring' cycle at English National Opera and elsewhere. When reading this translation, and perhaps using it to follow a recording or broadcast of any of these operas in the original German, you should keep in mind that it is not a *literal* translation. Porter has taken some liberties with the meaning of the original text, in order to match the rhythms of his English as closely as possible to those of Wagner's archaic German. The translator has also attempted to capture some of the alliteration that is characteristic of Wagner's *stabreim*.

It is clear that Andrew Porter understands the text of the 'Ring' well enough that he was able to make this "poetic" translation without distorting the meaning of the original text. For a literal, accurate translation, the only one currently available is by Stewart Spencer (Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung: The full German text with a new translation and commentaries, Thames and Hudson, 1993). You might also be able to find in a library or for sale used, the William Mann translation (Centurion Press Ltd, 1964).

Average customer rating:

The most compelling translation in the English language
Excellent summaries and translations of the operas
Great addition to any Wagner library
Thank you, Mr. Spencer
An Excellent Resource to Wagner's Ring

Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung
Stewart Spencer , Richard Wagner , and Barry Millington
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0500281947

Book Description

The full German text with a new translation and commentaries. 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. Stewart Spencer's well-reviewed translation, which follows the verse form of the original exactly, has filled that niche. It reads smoothly and idiomatically yet is the result of prolonged thought and deep background knowledge. The translation is accompanied by 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 serves as an essential complement to Wagner's great epic. 16 b/w illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

The most compelling translation in the English language.......2007-05-31

My first English Ring was Andrew Porter's "singable" translation. It was my introduction to a world of sound-rhymes that is difficult to render even in German (a running joke in Bayreuth was that singers were asked to first translate the text to German, before starting work!!!). When my focus turned to meaning of words and sentences, I've discovered the Spencer translation, the most up-to-date version available in English. Besides an annotated text (with alternate endings included - previous versions of course...), comparing word roots with Wagner's own sources, we are also presented with introductory essays by Wagner scholars, filled with insight and devoid of one-sidedness so common in music scholarship. For everyone looking for THE version of Der Ring in English.

Excellent summaries and translations of the operas.......2006-11-17

This is a very useful set of libretti and translations. The introductory material and the synopses are also of great use.

Great addition to any Wagner library.......2006-06-05

This book would be an excellent addition to anyone interesting in Wagner's Ring cycle for a number of reasons.

First, the translation, which takes up three quarters of the book, is well done, with German and English directly compared on a line by line basis, complete with alternate or discarded or rejected versions of the libretto included in an appendix. The translation itself seems outstanding; some of Wagner's phrasing is difficult or impossible to directly translate into English, but even in the most convoluted or confusing cases the result is clear and compelling.

Second, there is a thematic guide to many of the most important leitmotifs Wagner developed (67 in this case), and in the translation of the libretto the authors have noted where these occur on a line by line, or sequential basis. This is of tremendous help as a reference for further study when listening and relistening to the music.

Third, while there is only little commentary on the operas and on Wagner's compositional journey through the Ring, there are a few photos from past performances, comparing vastly different sets for the same scenes, which are interesting. There could have been quite a bit more of this.

Finally, the glossary of character names could be useful to the student.

Overall, this is an excellent resource and reference to use while listening to the Ring, and for analyzing Wagner's libretto itself.

Thank you, Mr. Spencer.......2006-05-23

Thank you, Mr. Spencer. You have given us something very special. You have given us a complete English translation of Der Ring Des Nibelungen, and it's possibly the most Wagnerian translation ever put on paper. You have given us more knowledge about the Ring Cycle by giving us commentaries about Wagner and his mission to change the way we look at operas. You have also given us B & W pictures of recent renderings of the Ring Cycle, from the Bayreuth Festival to the New York Metropolitan Opera. And for that, we are very grateful. A+

An Excellent Resource to Wagner's Ring.......2004-12-31

This book is an invaluable resource to Wagner's Ring cycle. The translation presented in this book is excellent. The translation is complete, and is an accurate translation from German. The author also included several essays in the book. They talk about the Ring cycle's musical structure, the sources of the Ring cycle, and Wagner's attitude toward the cycle. The reviews of CDs and videos of the Ring cycle, at the end of the book, are also invaluable. If you are looking for a libretto of Wagner's Ring, then you should definately get this book.

Ring of the Nibelung Volume 1: The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie (Ring of the Nibelung)

Average customer rating:

Utterly disappointing piece of kitsch
Fresh adaptation of a cool opera
Buy This!!!
Admirable Work!
Opera Manifests In New Form

Ring of the Nibelung Volume 1: The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie (Ring of the Nibelung)
P. Craig Russell
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Rackham's Color Illustrations for Wagner's "Ring"

ASIN: 1569716668

Book Description

The Rhinegold and The Valkyrie comprises Volume One of Russell's adaptation of the Ring cycle by German composer Richard Wagner. Woton has exhausted himself and his godly resources to have a mighty fortress built with the labor of the giants, Fasolt and Fafnir. But in his bargaining with them, he has promised the fair Freia, keeper of the golden apple tree whose fruit gives power and immortality to the gods. The giants come to collect their pay, and only Logé, the trickster god, can find something to offer the giants in exchange: the Rhinegold. The only problem is, Woton doesn't have the Rhinegoldyet!

Customer Reviews:

Utterly disappointing piece of kitsch.......2006-11-08

The text is OK and the way the story is cut up in frames and assembled is competent, but the drawings are the work of a hack, often tacky and always styleless and garishly colored. The costumes and settings are totally lacking in imagination and carry no semantic weight. The attempts to create a visual equivalent for the musical leitmotifs of the operas are too literal and very much in the spirit of a mechanical translation from opera to comic book. An affront to connoisseurs of either opera or comics or both. Only valuable as a kitschy curiosity.

Fresh adaptation of a cool opera.......2005-05-23

Ring of the Nibelung is the first of two books that make up a very literal adaptation of Wagner's opera to comic book form. It may seem strange to adapt an opera (all sound in most forms of distribution) to an all visual medium, but in many cases the sets and the visual element were a huge part of opera. This is a very visual opera and the comic does it right.

The plot: Mermaids who guard a small piece of gold in the Rhine river pass the time by making fun of a Nibelung (a little dwarf type thing) who thinks they are hot. The gold they are guarding is very beautiful but also powerful if it can be forged into a ring. This ring would give who ever wear's it the power to command the entire race of Nibelung. The catch is the ring must be made by someone who has given up love forever. Love isn't doing the Nibelung much good, since he is not at all good to look at and so he ends up making the ring. From then on everyone wants the ring. It passes hands again and again and always in bad circumstances.

Despite questionable material (all of it comes from Wagner) this is an excellent comic for school libraries. It is a well done adaptation that could spark interest in the subject and is definitely very readable. There is also a short introductory section about techniques that were used in making the comic, that was interesting for me and would appeal to teens who are interested in drawing their own comics.

I highly recommend this adaptation. It keeps the detail from the opera, and the visual nature of a comic book says more than just words could. I finished this and I was like - where is book two? I want it now.

Buy This!!!.......2005-01-19

This is a coupling of the excellent graphic novel of The Ring.
Do yourself a real favor, and buy both parts-immediately.

There is something that hearing this monumental work only hints
at, and that is the graphic, ie. photorealism of the staged work
itself, a precursor to films. If you are new to The Ring, or are an old veteran, this, and other, graphic novelizations of
The Ring, will help bring it to stunning life.

Admirable Work!.......2004-09-22

P. Craig Russell has created a masterpiece of comic book out of a materpiece of Opera. A absolute delight in every opera fan's colelctions! (BTW, I love P. Craig Russell's other opera adaptions, but Ring of the Nibelung is the best by a mile)

Opera Manifests In New Form.......2003-05-11

The story of one of Wagner's timeless operas, adapted here into comic form. I do not know the original, but this version makes me wish to find out more. It is comprised of 4 parts collected into two books, corresponding to the original 4 operas, which were independant but held together in a loose confederation to make on complete whole.

The first quadrant, The Rhinegold, begins with the founding of the gods and the tree of life, before advancing to when the story begins, in the middle ages. A dwarf, Alberich, is spurned by a trio of mermaids and steals their precious Rhinegold in order to make a ring of power from it, with which he can rule the world. The scene changes to Voton, leader of the gods, admiring his newly built Valhalla. The price for this was his wife's sister, who gives life to the gods, and when the giants come for their payment, Voton attempts vainly to talk them out of it. Finally, an agreement is made; if the god can get Alberich's ring, they will exchange that for the girl. And so Voton and Loge the Trickster climb down into the depths of the earth, where the dwarves are held under cruel sway. They trick the new leader and steal his ring, along with a tiara of shapeshifting and all of his gold, but not before the ring is cursed to bring death upon whomever else wears it. Voton is mesmerised by the power, but finally convinced to give it up by the eldest spirit; immediately the ring brings death, when one giant kills his brother coveting it.

The Valkyrie begins with a hotblooded young man finding shelter from pursuers in a lonely house, telling of deeds done in misguided honor; his host gives him shelter in waiting for a duel on the morn. That night Siegmund and Sieglinde fall in love, the former taking the ancient sword and with it his host's wife. Fricka, goddess of marriage, demands that Voton avenge this, even though they are his children; finally his will is overcome and he demands that a Valkyrie give Siegmund defeat in battle. She defies him, but Voton steps in and lets him die. As her punishment Brunehilde is taken from godhood and locked on a cliff, to be wed by any hero to find her.

The mini-series is continued in Vol. 2.

Even such a long summation can barely do this dense and powerful opera justice. Rather than the standard practice of rewriting or removing speech in parts, nearly everything is kept, translated directly from the original words of Wagner. The translation itself is very nice, keeping an archaic and formal syntax, while remaining accessible to modern readers. It is similar to Shakespeare or any contemporary, high without pretnetion. While the music cannot be included, the songs remain, to be fleshed out instead by lush art. The parallel goes deeper, in fact; as mentioned in the introduction, where Wagner's music has its lietmotifs, quickly recognizable strains that pull the whole together, so does the art include its own repeated motifs.

The story is classic, and told as well as befits a master. The politics between the gods is as fierce or more than that between men, and between them battles and intrigue rage. No major point is left unexplored, nothing forgotten and left to the wayside. Each character introduced comes back to play at least once, most exiting only through death. So much goes on that it is dizzying to keep up, but the intention is never to leave the reader behind, so it isn't overly difficult to follow. Even the reintroductions that catch the reader up on the events of each previous part are handled deftly. The art is vivid and colorful, very detailed and realistically shaded and textured. At times it seems more like acrylic paint than simple color press. The scenery is well detailed, matched by the people, whose actions and expressions are each striking and individual. While characters are seen from many angles and perspectives, anatomy of each is still proper. The story is very visual and cinematic; some places are very dense and wordy, while sometimes pages go by with no words needed. The fights in particular flow this way, becoming very abstract, yet the action clearly laid out. Russel is very comfortable with his ability to tell a tale however it needs to be told, certainly.

Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung (Opera Classics Library Series) (Opera Classics Library)

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Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung (Opera Classics Library Series) (Opera Classics Library)
Burton D. Fisher
Manufacturer: Opera Journeys Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Ring of the Nibelung
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Otello (English National Opera Guide 7)

ASIN: 1930841396
Release Date: 2005-08-02

Book Description

A comprehensive guide to Wagner's THE RING OF THE NIBELUNG, featuring insightful and in depth Commentary and Analysis, and Story Narrative with Music Bhighlight Examples of THE RHEINGOLD, THE VALKYRIE, SIEGFRIED, and TWILIGHT OF THE GODS, and over 90 music highlight examples.

The Ring of the Nibelung Book 2: Siegfried & Gotterdammerung: The Twilight of the Gods

Average customer rating:

Utterly disappointing piece of kitsch
Great Adaption of the Grandest Opera
Stunning Conclusion to a Powerful Drama
Excellent Adaption of the Ring cycle

The Ring of the Nibelung Book 2: Siegfried & Gotterdammerung: The Twilight of the Gods
P. Craig Russell
Manufacturer: Dark Horse
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Ring of the Nibelung Volume 1: The Rhinegold & The Valkyrie (Ring of the Nibelung)
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ASIN: 1569717346

Book Description

The ultimate adaptation of Richard Wagner's Ring Cycle concludes with these elaborate and faithful renditions of Siegfried and Gotterdammerung: The Twilight of the Gods. Siegfried is separated from his love, the Valkyrie Brunhilde, and even the All-Father himself cannot make things right. In the stunning conclusion, all of creation hangs in the balance because of gods meddling in the affairs of man — all over the gold of the Rhinemaids. In this massive undertaking, P. Craig Russell has created a living, breathing version of the Ring Cycle that Richard Wagner could only have dreamed of executing in his day.

Customer Reviews:

Utterly disappointing piece of kitsch.......2006-11-08

Great Adaption of the Grandest Opera .......2004-09-22

This comic book is superb! Graig Russell treats such a complex opera with great sincerity and skill, the characters and themes fit the music perfectly. Yes, there is no such thing as a perfect performance of ring cycle, but there is certainly a perfect comic book for the work.Do grab it when it is still available! This book is one of a kind, it will stay with you for years to come.

Stunning Conclusion to a Powerful Drama.......2003-05-11

This is continued from Vol. 1.

Siegmund's son, Siegfried, is raised by Alberich's ambitious brother, who wants the ring held by Fafnir the giant, now a dragon. Siegfriend reforges his father's sword, and with it he slays first Fafnir and then the dwarf who would kill him for the ring. Alberich, in the meantime, is watching mirthfully. Voton looks for advice from the first goddess, then meets Siegfriend on his way to win Brunhildé He shatters Voton's spear and climbs through the river of fire, and at the top wins love in the former Valkyrie.

The series wraps up in Gotterdammerung, twilight of the gods. Siegfried sails out to find his fortune, and meets a kingdom run by several characters out to ensnare the power of the ring. With a powder they make the hero fall in love with a princess, and pledge to retrieve Brunhilde for the king -- and the ring for his advisor. After a blood-oath he sails away to do this. The valkyrie is visited by one of her fellow maidens-at-arms, demanding Brunhilde throw the ring into the Rhine, but she refuses, claiming it as a symbol of her love. Siegfriend, in guise of the king, finds her and wins her again, this time for another. It is seen that the advisor is Alberich's son, thus his interest in the ring. A marvelous feast is prepared for a double-marriage on the king's return, when Brunhilde finds out she was tricked; she then helps this advisor and the king to devise a way to kill him. Siegfried is warned by mermaids, but refuses to grant them back the ring. He is later tricked into talking with longing of the king's new wife, and the king's advisor promptly slays the warrior; later that night, in a duel, he also kills his brother the king. Brunhilde demands a funeral pyre built, and in the end, everyone dies and everything burns.

Excellent Adaption of the Ring cycle.......2002-07-27

This is a beautifully illustrated and translated two-book comic adaption of Wagner's Ring cycle. P. Craig Russell's defends his belief that he could translate the opera music into images and create a powerful fantasy saga. The art is fantastic: Russell draws beautiful panels - the covers of these two books are a great example of the art inside. The translation into English is melodramatic (well, it's opera) and powerful. I can't praise these books enough. This is my favorite graphic story since I read, and re-read, Neil Gaiman's The Sandman, and these two volumes will be accompanying me on all my future moves.

Exploring Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung (Opera Journeys Mini Guide Series)

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Little Golden Books: The Ring Cycle

Exploring Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung (Opera Journeys Mini Guide Series)
Burton D. Fisher
Manufacturer: Opera Journeys
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung (Opera Classics Library Series) (Opera Classics Library)

ASIN: 193084137X

Book Description

A convenient and comprehensive pocket-sized GUIDE to Wagner's THE RING of the NIBELUNG cycle, featuring historical background, political, social, and economic forces which nurtured and inspired the music drama, operatic structural innovations made by Wagner, and the composer's interpretation of the inner meaning of the dramas. A companion to the OPERA JOURNEYS MINI GUIDE SERIES for the individual music dramas: THE RHINEGOLD, THE VALKYRIE, SIEGFRIED, and THE TWILIGHT OF THE GODS.

Customer Reviews:

Little Golden Books: The Ring Cycle.......2001-12-05

In reading this book, it is important to remember the name of the series: Opera Journeys Mini Guide. It is just that: an extremely basic description of Wagner's Ring Cycle. Why anyone would even attempt to summarize roughly sixteen hours of music in so few pages is beyond me, but since that attempt has here been made, the author has opened himself to criticism.

In this book, we are treated primarily to a history lesson, not a music lesson. Mr. Fisher's discussion of Germanic history and the Nibelungenlied is, certainly, authoritative and fascinating, if a bit abbreviated. His discussion of the Ring itself, ostensibly the subject of the book, is nearly non-existent. Nowhere is there any character analysis or plot synopsis.

A typical selection: the race of Giants is properly explained as a representation of the "bloated bourgeoisie" Wagner hated. The Gods are "the incarnation of corrupt contemporary politicians," which is certainly true. The Nibelungs, or dwarfs, however, are described as "the incarnation of all forces of materialism for which money is power." This is a convenient way of skirting Wagner's virulent obsession: anti-semitism. This issue, so important to understanding why Wagner's Ring is revered and hated by many at the same time.

This book makes it clear that The Ring is a powerful statement on the world as Wagner saw it; the entire cycle is an allegory. More discussion of that allegory would surely lead to a better understanding of the work as a whole.

In short: those looking for a Cliff's Notes on the Ring should look elsewhere. Those looking for a discussion of Wagner should look elsewhere. Those seeking a discussion of Wagner's work in musical context should look elsewhere.

The Four Books of Wagner's Ring: In Story, Pictures and Musical Scores, I.) the Rhinegold; Ii.) the Valkyrie; Iii.) Siegfried; Iv.) the Twilight of the Gods [4 Volumes in Slipcase]

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The Four Books of Wagner's Ring: In Story, Pictures and Musical Scores, I.) the Rhinegold; Ii.) the Valkyrie; Iii.) Siegfried; Iv.) the Twilight of the Gods [4 Volumes in Slipcase]
Robert Lawrence
Manufacturer: Grosset & Dunlap
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000BH5OU8

Product Description

Wagner's Ring in 4 Volumes with Pictures and Musical Scores: I.) The Rhinegold; II.) The Valkyrie; III.) Siegfried; IV.) The Twilight of the Gods [4 Volumes in slipcase]

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An excellent introduction to the Ring

Enjoying Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung
Speight Jenkins
Manufacturer: Highbridge Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

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ASIN: 1565111605

Customer Reviews:

An excellent introduction to the Ring.......2003-02-01

This item consists of 4 audiotapes which take you, via brief comments and musical excerpts, through the story of Wagner's Ring of the Nibelungen. The sound quality is very good. The music is from a live 1953 performance conducted by Krauss, which is one of my favorites editions of the Ring Cycle. The commentary by Speight Jenkins is thoughtful, relevant, and easy to understand. All in all this is an excellent overview of Wagner's classic for anyone new to the Ring. Highly recommended.

The Nibelung's Ring: A Guide to Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen

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The Nibelung's Ring: A Guide to Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen
Peter Bassett
Manufacturer: Wakefield Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Wagner's Ring: Turning the Sky Round
Ring of the Nibelung

ASIN: 186254624X

Book Description

This accessible text guides novice and seasoned opera listeners alike through Richard Wagner's renowned Ring cycle. To aid in understanding this complex and often contradictory work, a modern-day prose translation of its four component operas is provided, as is an explanation of The Nibelung's Ring's mythological background, Wagner's creative process, and the ideas conveyed throughout each component. A section reviewing its numerous musical themes and how they bind the cycle together musically is also included. Rarely seen lithographs by artist Hugo Braune illustrate the story.

Average customer rating:

Pretty good but deserves better
spectacular adaptation
Refreshingly Lowbrow!
This isn't the best Kane and Thomas could've offered
Over 8 hours of Opera condensed to 200 stunning pages!

The Ring of the Nibelung
Roy Thomas
Manufacturer: ExPress Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0932956203

Book Description

Comic-book artist Gil Kane illustrates Richard Wagner's four Ring operas in a graphic style which makes music all its own.

Customer Reviews:

Pretty good but deserves better.......2006-08-28

Looking for a good intrioduction to Nordic mythology for my Children, I was amazed to discover it was very difficult indeed. There are scores of children books on egyptian mythology but ahrdly anything on the Nordic one. This comic book tackles the diffuclt task of expressing graphically Richard Wagner's Opera 'The Ring' and does a fair job of it. Graphics are neat, the storytelling is quite faithful to the original so it's rather a good buy. However the graphics are too close to the traditional 'Marvel Comics' style and having Wotan & al. drawn like some kind of 'Captain America' makes me feel the story was somehow 'cheapened', also I'd have wished for a much lomger, richer and more detailed version (something like drawings by Frazetta, adaptation by Peter Jacson).

spectacular adaptation.......2006-08-28

Cards on the table. I could care less about Opera. I bought this because it represents one of the last ( and, as it turns out, best ) things Roy Thomas and Gil Kane did together. So I hope all Opera lovers will excuse my complete lack of sophistication, but I'll be reviewing this as a comic book.
This is the ultimate crossover book as, in four chapters, Thomas & Kane adapt Richard Wagner's epic tale of dwarves, Gods and men.
This was obviously aimed more at the Opera crowd, as the cover ( NOT drawn by Gil ) makes it look like a book of sheet music.
However, once you open it up, you're in the hands of a couple of masters of their craft. Roy Thomas is, of course, an old hand at writing a rattling good fantasy yarn, and though there's obviously a little more depth to this than the average Conan adventure, it does hurtle along at the same breakneck speed.
You won't need to know anything about Richard Wagner to enjoy this.
And Kane's art, even for him, is exceptional. The characters, particularly the dwarves Mime and Alberich, as well as the sly god Loge come alive and feel like real people. But he never lets you forget this is Opera either. Scenes like Loge's arrival over Valhalla, and, later Siegried's battle with the dragon Fafnir are as epic and spectacular as you would expect.
For comic buffs,this really is an superb piece of work, and for Opera fans, well, surprise yourself, this may be the best stage adaptation of Wagner you've never seen.

Refreshingly Lowbrow!.......2002-11-27

Unfortunately, one of the negative aftershocks that usually accompanies a towering, controversial work-of-art is the sheer amount of pretentious [stuff] written about it. Considering that Der Ring des Nibelungen is quite possibly the most stupendous artistic achievement ever devised by one single individual, please feel free to multiply the previous statement by twelve.

Here, however, we something refreshingly straightforward. The Ring's four operas are well-represented by Thomas' & Kane's comic-book format. The graphics are mostly well-done and the writing appropriately archaic-sounding.

Alberich, Mime, Fasolt & Fafner (giant version) are all drawn to be exceedingly gross, yet strangely sympathetic (this is especially true of Mime). Wotan looks like the most convincing 80-year-old bodybuilder you've ever seen, while Hagen & Hunding look truly menacing. Donner is a hybrid of Hercules & Thor, the Rhinemaidens seem to have lost their clothing somewhere downstream, and Brunnhilde is exquisite. Siegmund & Siegfried are regrettably a little too "Masters of the Universe," but Fafner (dragon version) is brilliant!

There's also an introduction written by the editor of "Opera News" basically giving the intellectual "all clear" for enjoying this format. Aside from the graphics, the book's primary appeal is making the somewhat convoluted story of the Ring accessible in one gulp. Therein lies the value of this volume: instead of daunting the reader with hundreds of pages of musical analysis & the presumed hidden meanings of the Ring, it unassumingly invites the reader to experience one of the greatest journeys in Western music.

This isn't the best Kane and Thomas could've offered.......2002-01-11

I'm afraid the reviewer below is overly generous. The late Kane was an artist of extraordinary talent and intellect who unfortunately rarely showed his full potential. Thomas, too, is a fine writer, especially when one considers that he was a protoge of Stan "The Man" Lee. I don't know how the two of them came to collaborate on this project, but, whereas one might think they would have really gone to town (being freed from the absurd constraints of the technicolor long-johns genre), Kane's art is only pretty-good at best, and downright shoddy at worst. Thomas, too, seems to lose steam halfway through, and the excellent writing of the first issues gives way to writing which is merely adequate. Most disturbing in the art is the Barbie-and-Ken-type depiction of the gods and goddesses. The "monsters" seem drawn with much more passion and care. Perhaps Kane intended this ironically, since the gods and goddesses are largely contemptible, whereas the monsters have a certain sympathetic appeal. Having said all that, I still think this is far better than the huge majority of comics, and it is a must-have for anyone who is an admirer of either Kane or Thomas.

Over 8 hours of Opera condensed to 200 stunning pages!.......2001-04-24

In a major departure of theme, Comix Art God, Gil Kane took on no less than The Ring Cycle from Alberecht's theft of the Ring of Power all the way through The Immolation and downfall of The Gods. Only an artist as confident as Kane could have ever gotten away with such a gutsy move. He is aided by a fairly tight and concise rendering of the story by Roy Thomas, no slouch himself. The magic of this pairing is that Thomas clearly knows when to leave certain elements of the story to Kane and his visual mastery. Every panel is kinetic with movement and the art is far more mature as it ought to be. Below there are reviews with silly warnings about the nudity in these books as if you would give your five year old a story about a Hero (sigfried)having passionate relations with his sister(brunhilde)! Laughable. The Ring Cycle is a very adult story by nature and Kane/Thomas treat it with the respect that a story for thinking individuals deserves. If you were expecting GOODNIGHT MOON, you are on the wrong page pal. However, I think any kid old enough to watch Discovery Channel unsupervised could be trusted with this material. In fact, this rendering of the RING is far more comprehensible than a Cliff Notes version they will inevitably buy in Highschool and far more entertaining.

Sadly, with Kane's death a year ago, we will not be treated to any more of his insightful and original treatments of timeless material. If you only know his Superhero stuff, you really need this book and you must also track down a used copy of the now out of print BLACKMARK. Kane's THE RING is simply a treasure for the art, the way the art tells the story and the succinct summary of a complex and lengthy Literature Classic. Too bad he couldn't have also done WAR & PEACE since his version would have been much more interesting.

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