The Ring of the Nibelung

Richard Wagner author John Deathridge translator

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd

Published:3rd Oct '19

Should be back in stock very soon

This paperback is available in another edition too:

The Ring of the Nibelung cover

A superb translation of one of the greatest nineteenth century poems- the libretto to Wagner's Ring cycle.

A superb new translation of the libretto to Wagner's Ring cycle

'Smiling in sorrow
I sing of love'

The Ring of the Nibelung, Wagner's epic cycle of four musical dramas about primal envy, cosmic conflict, the search for glory, spectacular self-sacrifice, redeeming human love and the downfall of gods, revolutionized the nature of opera and conjured up an entire mythological world. It is also one of the greatest texts ever written for the lyric stage, where words are not an adjunct to the music, but an essential part of a transformative experience. John Deathridge's superb new facing page translation of the Ring libretto conveys the pungency and vitality of Wagner's words, reflecting the work's literary power while retaining its sense and dramatic energy.

Translated with an introduction and notes by John Deathridge

Now comes the new translation by John Deathridge, doyen of English-speaking Wagner scholars, with a grasp of his life and writings that may never have been equalled. [...] In that noble enterprise he seems to me to be entirely successful. [...] 'Awesome' is a word I detest, but how else can one describe that? Beautifully presented and authoritative, which can only [...] cast light on this inexhaustible masterwork. -- Michael Tanner * Spectator *
The Ring provides a meticulous study of the psychology of politics and power[...] Hugely illuminating [...] Deathridge's translation, flexibly and vividly conceived, shines a special light into the literary and psychological depths of the Ring. -- Benjamin Poore * Asymptote Journal *

ISBN: 9780241422281

Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 35mm

Weight: 551g

816 pages