Description

Book Synopsis
Wagner's Ring cycle, argues Foster, follows an evolutionary model of Greek poetry and politics adapted from Hegel. Providing a thorough analysis of three of the most important poetic genres – epic, lyric, and drama – this book interrogates the ways in which Wagner uses Greek aesthetics to further his own ideological goals.

Trade Review
'A highly recommended addition to any Wagnerite's library' Classical Music
'This is a book full of stimulus for classicists, historians and musicologists alike.' Teresa Morgan, The Times Literary Supplement

Table of Contents
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.

Wagners Ring Cycle and the Greeks Cambridge Studies in Opera

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    A Hardback by Daniel H. Foster

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      Book details

      Publisher Cambridge University Press
      Published 2 April 2010
      ISBN-13 9780521517393
      978-0521517393
      ISBN-10 0521517397
      Also in:
      Composers and songwriters

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      Wagner's Ring cycle, argues Foster, follows an evolutionary model of Greek poetry and politics adapted from Hegel. Providing a thorough analysis of three of the most important poetic genres – epic, lyric, and drama – this book interrogates the ways in which Wagner uses Greek aesthetics to further his own ideological goals.

      Trade Review
      'A highly recommended addition to any Wagnerite's library' Classical Music
      'This is a book full of stimulus for classicists, historians and musicologists alike.' Teresa Morgan, The Times Literary Supplement

      Table of Contents
      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.

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