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Penetrating Wagner's "Ring" (Da Capo Paperback) Paperback – 21 Mar 1991

by John L. DiGaetani (Editor)

34 customer reviews

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Wagner's Ring cycle - "The Ring of the Niebelung" - has been described as one of the most enduring of operatic spectacles. This collection has brought together writings on the Ring and includes articles by George Bernard Shaw, Georg Solti and Andrew Porter, excerpts from Wagner's own letters and works and discourses by over 30 other writers. Covered is the tetralogy of the Ring - "Das Rheingold", "Die Walkuere", "Siegfried" and "Goetterdaemmerung" - in essays on Wagner's intention, the theory behind it, its interpretation, artistic backgrounds, historical influences, literary sources, musical architecture, modern stagings, the "Ring" in English and various styles of performance. The book is designed to serve as an introduction to the "Ring" as well as a companion to fans and performers of Wagner's operas.

Penetrating Wagner's "Ring" (Da Capo Paperback)

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Product details

Paperback: 454 pages
Publisher: Da Capo Press Inc; New edition edition (21 Mar. 1991)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0306804379
ISBN-13: 978-0306804373
Product Dimensions: 3.2 x 15.2 x 22.9 cm

Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)

Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 213,672 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #213 in Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Music > Styles > Classical Music > Composers
- #1403 in Books > Music, Stage & Screen > Music > Composers & Musicians

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Customer reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars

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4 star		3
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1 star		8

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Performance Anxiety

ByRough DiamondTOP 1000 REVIEWERon 9 March 2015

Format: Paperback

I've just signed up for four consecutive nights next year, during which I'm hoping for total immersion in Wagner's Ring. I've heard it's going to be the biggest and most inviting Ring the UK will have ever seen, and that it will be open and accessible to anyone who's interested in getting into it. I reckon it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to get to the bottom of Wagner, and achieve a full and complete penetration of his Ring's innermost recesses.

Despite all this, I have to confess I'm still worried Wagner's Ring will end up being a bit tough for me to get into. It's all a bit daunting: the whole performance is apparently going to be live on stage at the Royal Festival Hall, and I'm told there will even be extreme close-ups of the live action projected onto a giant screen. It all sounds pretty intense and, if I end up being unable to penetrate Wagner's Ring on the night, I'm worried the whole experience could end up in embarrassment, confusion, or outright humiliation - particularly if everyone else there is enjoying ecstasies of pleasure from penetrating it for hours on end. So I'm hoping this guide will give me some useful tips, to help me ease my way into Wagner's Ring with complete confidence.

0Comment 8 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Very hard.

ByJDon 13 June 2014

Format: Paperback

I found this very hard-going indeed at first but I think I approached this from the wrong angle. Penetrating Wagner's ring is not for the beach nor is it one for last thing at night with a cup of warm cocoa. Certainly my wife didn't appreciate me investigating the ring piece at bed time and all the tossing and turning it took as I vainly tried to get into it. Alcohol might help next time. Maybe I'll give it another go after a stiff one and I might find penetrating Wagner's ring a much more pleasurable and satisfying experience. Bottoms up!

0Comment 12 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Five Stars

ByLucyon 27 March 2015

Format: Paperback

This book didn't just make my day it made my hole weak

0Comment 11 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Total Immersion in Wagner's Ring

BySam Le Qon 16 September 2009

Format: Paperback

This is a compilation of writings by those who have been touched and, in many cases, deeply affected by Wagner's Ring. Writings from the composer himself reveal his intense desire to challenge society with his Ring piece, along with his more ambitious aim to use it to lure foreign audiences. The book deals with all aspects of the Ring, from its tightness of structure through to its darker, more deeply concealed elements. Bravo to these talented writers for opening up Wagner's Ring on the international stage and helping us all to enjoy it.

0Comment 24 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Richly textured personal log

ByRKon 12 March 2015

Format: Paperback

I normally relegate such titles as this to the bottom of the pile but DiGaetani has sidestepped the windiness which has often beset critics approaching Wagner's Ring, and instead has successfully captured its rugged, mottled majesty in this rousing snapshot.

Some may feel intimidated by Wagner's colossal Ring and doubt that they have the staying power to engage with it for the full 16 hours. This is where DiGaetini comes in, he has bravely ventured into The Ring's dense terrain and emerged with a richly textured personal log. The samples are well chosen and cleanly presented, affording the reader an insight into the composer's psyche as well as an awed appreciation for the regularity and solidity of his output.

There are some drawbacks- some may bemoan a lack of fluidity in the central passages while others may note a certain bumpiness around the edges, but those that persevere will be rewarded with golden nuggets of the kind that could only be uncovered by a true Ring enthusiast.

Worth the effort.

0Comment 16 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

So wrong, but so right...

ByRingTacularon 23 March 2013

Format: Paperback

I dipped my toe into Wagner's Ring as my first foray into the void. Needless to say, I was immediately gripped by the sudden, and all-encompassing gulf into which I had allowed myself. Feeling as if I had only scratched the surface of this sensitive tome, I elected to give my whole self to its delicate intricacies.

Through careful but precise probing, I was able to reach deeper, and deeper into the meanings of this great chasm. At times, the lubrication of curiosity was not enough, and I found myself forcing my way across the breech. The teeth-clenching agony, however, paid dividends, only to release pleasure immeasurable, that overwhelmed my being and drenched me with luxurious, thick euphoria.

Delving further into The Ring, I found myself aching for more. The Ring touched upon a part of me as no other had. Within myself, great spasms of joy were to be endured, at the behest of basal fury and guilt. Forceful education, unrelenting punishment and raw debasement were to be endured. Inevitably, The Ring would provide its sweet reward, a feeling of emptiness, ecstasy, and ultimately a relentless fulfillment that only a Ring of this size could offer.

I was left feeling distinctly unclean and incomplete after this experience, yearning for more, and feeling empty after such an ordeal. Hence, without option, I was forced to look deep within for access to my darker places. With practice and time this became steadily easier and less harrowing.

0Comment 17 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

A Dark and steamy read

ByA. Smithon 11 February 2014

Format: Paperback

One of the mysterious rings I have always been intrigued by is Wagners. Now Mr DiGaetani has penetrated it in glorious detail for all of us to enjoy and observe. Some dressed in animals masks, some looking on, some getting involved with only the woods to keep our exhilarating secret.

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

She bangs.

ByRichard Alexander Yendellon 21 October 2010

Format: Paperback

With great trepidation but with an insatiable curiosity I endeavoured to delve to the very depths of Wagner's cavernous and archaic ring. Donning my hardest literary helmet I thrusted myself aggressively through its hard exterior and endeavoured to wallow in its soft core. It was a stubborn, yet ultimately fulfilling transition, which reaped a teeth grinding crescendo, the like of which only Wagner could truly facilitate.
A deeply personal work and at times I felt that I had violated him but the relief I felt annihilating his ring left me deeply satisfied. On the surface it may seem unreceptive, arduous, even unyielding but with positive literate lubrication, Wagner's ring can be successfully and enjoyably penetrated.

0Comment 47 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

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Most recent customer reviews

Penetrating Wagner's "Ring"

Wagner's Ring cycle - The Ring of the Niebelung - has been described as one of the most enduring of operatic spectacles.Read more

Published 9 months ago by Amazon Customer

Just the right thickness but not the book I expected!

I actually found this more useful than I thought I would after the first few pages, having made a bit of a mistake (poor research on my part) and buying this book thinking it was...Read more

Published 1 year ago by pjm

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Before penetrating fully into Wagner's Ring, I would suggest gently fingering through so as to become properly acquainted.Read more

Published on 15 May 2014 by Joshua Claxton

Not what I expected

Having mastered the intricacies of 50 Shades of Grey I felt Penetrating Wagners Ring was a further step towards gaining a greater understanding of the German approach.Read more

Published on 24 March 2014 by karen rowley

A rough ride

Starts off hard to get into then when you finally start getting somewhere its all over leaving you felling the need for a shower.
5* for at least being game enough to do it.

Published on 22 March 2014 by Gavin Heggs

Hacked is a story for our times.

Very filmic novel, could see this successfully translate to tv, loved the fast pace and the friendship between the two very strong female characters.Read more

Published on 6 November 2013 by margaret murray

A reassuring guiding hand through what can be a daunting rite of passage

Like others here I have often found myself wondering about the Ring and wondering if I could ever get into it.Read more

Published on 11 September 2013 by Rgh1066

anca's story

This is the worst book I have read the topic is of great interest to me however the authors use of highly complicated and unnecessary words to try and describe and tell the story...Read more

Published on 6 August 2013 by David H

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