Ring of the Nibelung: A Companion (Folio Society)

Inbunden bok. Folio Society. 1 uppl. 2020. 411 sidor.

Nyskick. Book and slipcase are in new condition.

Illustrated by John Vernon Lord. Edited by Barry Millington and Stewart Spencer. Translated by Stewart Spencer. Commentaries by Barry Millington, Elizabeth Magee, Roger Hollinrake and Warren Darcy. Bound in screen-printed and blocked cloth. Set in Bembo.17 black and white integrated illustrations with gold rules, 8 pages of black and white integrated images. Printed endpapers. Pictorial slipcase. Book size: 11½˝x 8˝ (29 x 21cm).

A definitive beautifully illustrated companion to Wagner’s epic of gods, giants and heroes, with an acclaimed translation of the libretto and authoritative commentaries.

Across four musical dramas rooted in medieval epics and Norse legend, the Ring cycle transports the listener to a landscape of gods, giants and dwarfs, tortured heroes and enchanted treasures. In this lavish one-volume edition of the Ring of the Nibelung, The Folio Society presents the essential companion to Wagner’s masterwork – an expression of genius that changed the course of operatic history.

At the heart of the book is Stewart Spencer’s line-by-line translation of the full German libretto, lauded by critics for its fidelity, expressiveness and elegance. It is accompanied by essays and commentaries by some of the world’s eminent Wagnerian scholars, plus encyclopaedic note, glossaries and guides, including a directory of the all-important leitmotifs that thread through the music. The words are illustrated by John Vernon Lord – himself a passionate Wagnerian – who has produced intricate black-and-white line drawings of the Ring cycle’s motifs, a beautiful cover and slipcase, and fascinating notes on all his illustrations.

Authoritative and elegantly presented, it’s a book that deserves a place on every Wagner enthusiast’s shelf.