Wagner's Ring Cycle and the Greeks (Cambridge Studies in Opera)
Cambridge University Press, 2/4/2010
EAN 9780521517393, ISBN10: 0521517397
Hardcover, 398 pages, 22.9 x 15.9 x 2.5 cm
Language: English
Originally published in English
Through his reading of primary and secondary classical sources, as well as his theoretical writings, Richard Wagner developed a Hegelian-inspired theory linking the evolution of classical Greek politics and poetry. This book demonstrates how, by turning theory into practice, Wagner used this evolutionary paradigm to shape the music and the libretto of the Ring cycle. Foster describes how each of the Ring's operas represents a particular phase of Greek poetic and political development: Das Rheingold and Die Walküre create epic national identity in its earlier and later stages respectively; Siegfried expresses lyric personal identity; and Götterdämmerung destructively culminates with a tragi-comedy about civic identity. This study sees the Greeks through the lens of those scholars whose work influenced Wagner most, focusing on epic, lyric, and comedy, as well as Greek tragedy. Most significantly, the book interrogates the ways in which Wagner uses Greek aesthetics to further his own ideological goals.
Preface
Introduction
Part I. Epic
1. Introduction
what is epic?
2. Retrospective narrative and the epic process
3. The orchestral narrator and elementary epic
4. Spiritual and factual realities in epic
Part II. Lyric
5. Introduction
what is lyric?
6. Orpheus and lyric liberation
7. First-person opera and lyric identity
8. Lyric and the rebirth of tragedy
Part III. Drama
9. Introduction
what is drama?
10. Opera and tragedy
11. Opera and comedy
12. Resolution and ambiguity in comedy and tragedy
Epilogue
Time, the Ring, and performance studies
Appendices
Wagner's primary and secondary sources
Introduction
Appendix A. Wagner's primary sources
Appendix B. secondary scholarship by authors Wagner knew personally
Appendix C. Secondary scholarship by authors Wagner knew by reputation or by reading
Bibliography.
'A highly recommended addition to any Wagnerite's library' Classical Music