The Valkyrie; A Dramatic Poem (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1909 Excerpt: ... FOREWORD HERE is something primitive, colossal, majestic in Wagner's fourfold; music dramaof TheNibelungen Ring. It partakes of the power and grandeur of the earlier ages of the world. It is a drama of the mighty era of the gods, the giants, and the heroes before the coming of man upon the earth. It is the wondrous story in which was enwrapped much of the religious belief of our ancient Northern ancestors in Europe. The deepest truths of this drama of primitive life are universal, and their meanings as potent to-day as in the prehistoric world. It is a vast allegory of the strongest passions of life. It is a dream of yesterday and a vision of to-morrow, if we have eyes to look into the heart of its mystery. It is the aim of this present translation and interpretation to present the story of The Ring in the clear and strong way of the German original, to show the relation of the parts and the dramatic unity of the whole, to make the whole vast epic stand out in its own vivid light and thrilling power. The usual English librettos of The Ring are totally inadequate and confusing as translations of Wagner's text. They are made to suit the musical requirements rather than to present the thought in literary form. It is often a perplexing task rather than a pleasure to read them. Tenfold more involved and obscure than Browning, they have none of his redeeming grace of thought or speech. jFOtC-The present translation aims to be faithful to UlOtD Wagner's text, and at the same time clear in thought, poetic in imagery, rhythmic in expres-sion. It endeavors to transfuse into English the very spirit of Wagner's lofty thought. It will be remembered that Wagner wrote The Nibelungen Ring, first of all, merely as a poem, and so it was originally published. The music was no...