Description
Book SynopsisWagner'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 ContentsPreface; 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.
