- Hardcover: 120 pages
- Publisher: Pocket Books (May 1991)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0671707736
- ISBN-13: 978-0671707736
- Product Dimensions: 21.6 x 14.2 x 1.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,736,503 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
48 of 50 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Father Owen Lee provides a concise guide to what is certainly the longest and perhaps most spectacular work of performing arts produced in the western world. There can be no analysis of Wagner's 'Ring of the Nibelung' which can fully comprehend every aspect of the work. Each of us must see it from our own viewpoint - a viewpoint which must be coloured by our individual upbringing, culture and life experience. And Owen Lee is no different.
He guides us through the Ring from a perspective of intuitive myth - the Ring is not the social and political metaphor that Wagner first envisaged in 1848. It is now something much more - an explanation of "pyschological and metaphysical reality. It was asking: who am I? where did I come from? what is the meaning of life? what is the world?"
Lee comes to the Ring in an easy-to-read way but doesn't sacrifice concepts and quality by being simplistic. The text is derived from his intermission talks that formed part of radio broadcasts of the Ring from the Metropolitan Opera. The actual text is just under 100 pages but he provides a short bibliography and discography in which he freely points up his own favourites and preferences.
As a short but thoughtful introduction to the Ring you won't find much better. But listen to the operas in conjunction with your reading. In that way the real merits of this little book shine through.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As an introduction to one of the longest pieces of art ever formulated, Father Lee's book is very good. At 100 pages, he provides brief synopses of each of the four operas followed by succinct, insightful exploration of some of the basic mythical and psychological themes and symbols conjured up by Wagner. Without getting carried away with language associated with the study of psychology and symbolism, which is impenetrable to novices such as myself, he delivers an easily accesible understanding of how the cyle of operas may be interpreted. This book has greatly enhanced my understanding and enjoyment of the Ring.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you've seen the Ring cycle (live or on DVD/TV) and enjoyed it, you will find this book a good companion for some historical and context insight. It explains in brief some of the most salient points about the opera cycle with concise explanations and should provide a good intro before you decide if you want to delve further and get more detailed publications/essays about the work.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
exquisitely succinct interpretation and introduction....
to one of the most multi-layered works of art in existence.
I have wanted to see this opera series for over 20 years, ever since I saw an opera properly prepared by a... Read more
I have wanted to see this opera series for over 20 years, ever since I saw an opera properly prepared by a... Read more
Published 11 months ago by rob crawford
An essential guide to anyone new to or pondering the Ring
I have never read such good sense about Wagner, with so many deep and fascinating insights into this greatest of music dramas, in such an astonishingly (and gratifyingly) short,... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Ektor
A few things you should know about 'Turning the Sky Round'
This well known and fascinating little book by M. Owen Lee contains a wealth of thought-provoking insights into Wagner's 'Ring', perhaps the most monumental work of art in human... Read more
Published on 16 Feb 2010
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