Wagner's Ring of the Nibelung: A Companion Review

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(More customer reviews)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.

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There has long been a need for a new English translation of the text of Wagner's Ring - a modern version, both reliable and readable yet truly reflecting the literary quality of the original. As Wagner emphasized, his words and music form an indissoluble unity, neither fully comprehensible without the other. Stewart Spencer, a lifelong devotee of Wagner and an editor of the journal of the Wagner society, is ideally qualified for such a task. The poem of The Ring bristles with difficulties: of interpretation and of rendition into English. Spencer's version, which exactly follows the original verse form, reads smoothly and idiomatically, yet is the result of prolonged thought and deep background knowledge. The German text is given in parallel, and Spencer also contributes footnotes and an introductory essay. Other specially commissioned essays discuss the cycle's musical structure, its philosophical implications, its medieval sources and Wagner's own changing attitude to its meaning. There is also a glossary of names, a review of audio and video recordings, and a select bibliography.Armed with this complement to Wagner's master-work, the newcomer can approach it without fear of being mystified, while for those already under its spell there are new ideas.

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