Richard Wagner Books

The scale and grandeur of Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung has no precedent and no successor. It preoccupied Wagner for much of his adult life and revolutionized the nature of opera, the orchestra, the demands on singers and on the audience itself. The four operas-The Rhinegold, The Valkyrie, Siegfried and Twilight of the Gods - are complete worlds, conjuring up extraordinary mythological landscapes through sound as much as staging. Wagner wrote the entire libretto before embarking on the music. Discarding the grand choruses and bravura duets central to most operas, he used the largest musical forces in the context often of only a handful of singers on stage. The words were essential: he was telling a story and making an argument in a way that required absolute attention to what was said. The libretto for The Ring lies at the heart of nineteenth century culture. It is in itself a work of power and grandeur and it had an incalculable effect on European and specifically German culture. John Deathridge's superb new translation, with notes and a fascinating introduction, is essential for anyone who wishes to get to grips with one of the great musical experiences.

This ancient Chinese manual of spiritual alchemy was brought to the West in translation by missionary and theologian Richard Wilhelm who is assisted in this book by Carl Jung. Averse to the blind aping of oriental ways, Jung suggests that Eastern treasures are best used to enrich our understanding of the work we have to do on ourselves and our culture.

Set in a futuristic world, the novella features a philosophical dialogue between Edward and his robot valet, Brent. As Edward teaches Brent various human skills, their interactions spark profound reflections on humanity. Brent's journey toward becoming a renowned philosopher leads to unexpected adventures and cultural fame. With engaging characters, intriguing plot twists, and explorations of knowledge, the story appeals to both science fiction fans and those interested in technology.

"In the same period Wagner was deeply inspired by the works of Shakespeare, an influence that runs throughout this volume. The title essay, "Actors and Singers," is one of Wagner's most deliberate and philosophical writings. He wrote, "Art ceases, strictly speaking, to be Art from the moment it presents itself as Art to our reflecting consciousness. " He described how the unconsciousness of art, and thus art's power, connected natural genius to cultivate traditions.

The second installment of Richard Wagner's renowned epic features a translation by Margaret Armour, complemented by Arthur Rackham's stunning illustrations. This volume delves deeper into the intricate themes and characters of the saga, enhancing the experience with visual artistry that brings the narrative to life.

Culturally significant, this work has been preserved from its original artifact to maintain authenticity. It includes original copyright references and library stamps, reflecting its historical importance and the role it has played in the knowledge base of civilization. This reproduction aims to honor the integrity of the original text while providing access to vital scholarly resources.

The preservation of this classical work emphasizes its historical significance and relevance to future generations. Alpha Editions has republished it in a modern format, ensuring clarity and readability through reformatting and retyping, rather than relying on scanned copies. This effort highlights the importance of maintaining access to influential literature while enhancing the reading experience for contemporary audiences.

A companion volume offering essays, surveys and summaries to inform and enlighten.

English National Opera Guides are ideal companions to the opera. They provide stimulating introductory articles together with the complete text of each opera in English and the original. The opening evening of Wagner's four-part cycle,The Ring of Nibelung, stands apart as more naive and picturesque than the others. But it immediately establishes the huge scale of the overall work, and the extraordinary musical language that will be displayed throughout. It is a miracle of musical history that Wagner's 1850 conception could be brought to completion, in an organic whole, some 25 years later. Stewart Spencer discusses the way in which Wagner fuses genuine mythology with his own invention and John Deathridge places The Rhinegold in the context of The Ring and its century.

A companion volume offering essays, surveys and summaries to inform and enlighten.