Wagner's Ring: Turning the Sky Around. An Introduction to The Ring of the Nibelung

by Mark Owen Lee

Commentary on and a concise, lucid interpretation of the opera world's most complex masterwork, expanded from the author's popular intermission talks during Met Opera broadcasts.

“Anyone, whether knowledgeable or not, will profit by reading it...”

– Opera Quarterly

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Criticism

124 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 1990

Reviews

[Paul Christensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking.

[Drew Norwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a helpful companion to Wagner's The Ring of the Nibelung. Owen Lee was a music scholar and longtime opera commentator (and also a Catholic priest), so I appreciated hearing his take on The Ring, even though there were several places where I wasn't convinced of his interpretation. His discussion of the music and it's purpose in the story was instructive for someone like me who knows noting about the music. There seems to be a lot of options out there, when it comes to commentaries on The Ring, and there may be better alternatives, but this one was concise and helpful to a novice like me. Lee's discussion of how The Ring was created and the process/development of the work, and Wagner's letters and reflections on The Ring, were maybe the most valuable part of the book. It's here that you get such insights as: "Wagner once said something very starling about his Ring. He said that it teaches us that 'we must learn to die.'"

"Turning the Sky Round" in the title is taken from C.S. Lewis, who was greatly impacted by Wagner and who wrote about his first introduction to The Ring of the Nibelung in Surprised by Joy.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

An articulate, insightful, and mercifully brief commentary on Wagner's magnum opus. One should look elsewhere for detailed synopses and biographical information, which are easily found. Lee has done us the favor of distilling the important facts about the Ring cycle into a quaffable draught, supplemented by an interpretation that is suitably conventional, at least for an introduction. I'm sure hardened Wagnerians will find issue with some things here, but this is clearly written for neophytes and rubes like me. A very short list of recommended recordings and readings caps off the book, though it is a bit dated at this point.

[P.D. Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful summary of the Ring cycle as well as going into more deeper philosophical and metaphysical interpretation of it, including the myths it was based on, the Germanic political conditions at the time it was written, and how the original genesis for Wagner's motivation, changed the wisdom inherent within it to go from being very much of a time, and then later to play on timeless themes.

The stories in each cycle evolved, along with the music, so that in the end it is suggested that not even Wagner knew where it was going, only that he felt a force to create it, and then only looking back could he himself attempt to understand it. This, though a short interpretation of the cycle, is succinct rather than brief, and I found it absolutely fascinating and feel it has widened my own interest and wonder at the amazing music Wagner produced. Thoroughly recommended for those already familiar with the Ring cycle, and also as a prompt for those who have not yet dived in, to do so without delay.

[Don Cummer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tardis of a book: very small in size but it contains a universe within. Owen Lee does a masterful job of summarizing Wagner's Ring Cycle, providing the background of how Wagner put together his masterpiece, and exploring various interpretations of what it all means -- including his own regarding the evolution of human consciousness. For those dipping their toe into the operas for the first time, or those who want to expand their understanding, this is a great book to get you thinking.

[Joshua Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my third time through this volume. It's a fantastic "introduction" to the Ring, and I think one of its best features is its brevity. There is a lot of detail contained within its 120 pages.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little companion to the most sublime art.

[Rusmir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous introduction if you ever go see the full Ring cycle, oh I don't know right after you've been to Africa for two weeks and you're jet lagged AF.

[Rita Kingsbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent primer for anyone wanting a review before attending the four operas.

[Sarah Yasin · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is dope.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live in Seattle. Seattle produces Wagner's entire Ring Cycle every 4 year. It is a world-class production which draws patrons from all 50 states and 22 foreign countries. It's always breath-taking and wonderful. It's one of the reasons I moved to Seattle.

The marvelous thing is that there is always something new to hear or learn about the Ring. Just when you think you've got it, you hear something new, or a line of "dialogue" sets you off on a thinking expedition.

I refuse to be a "Wagnerite" who knows every note in the score or exactly when a character will be singing a specific line or any other minutiae, but I do like learning new aspects.

Although this book is subtitled An Introduction to The Ring of the Nibelung those of us who have experience with the work can get just as much out of it. Lee gives quick plot summaries at the beginning of each of the four parts but he focuses on themes, political/historical developments that changed the approach Wagner took, Wagner's role in developing a new style of opera, his role, also, in creating a new way to look at the individual and his relation to himself - introducing the ideas of Freud and Jung before they were recognized. He shows you how motifs run throughout the works and how the story we think we know about the Norse gods is actually Wagner's creation.

In other words, this is a book, a very short one, that should delight all Wagner fans. I learned a lot from it!

[Tom Emanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This slim volume by noted Wagner expert, classics scholar, and Catholic priest M. Owen Lee packs a serious punch. I read it shortly after seeing Der Ring des Nibelungen (and Tristan & Isolde!) for the first time at the Deutsches Nationaltheater in Weimar in 2011, and it served as an ideal, highly readable introduction to Wagner's world. Invoking George Bernard Shaw, Carl Jung, and Joseph Campbell, among many others, in little more than 100 packed pages, Owen Lee sheds much light on the mythic and psychological depth of this monolith of Western culture. The same author's Wagner: The Terrible Man and His Truthful Art makes a good (equally concise) companion piece, and an annotated list of recommended readings provides a jumping-off point for those who wish to dive deeper into the sea of Wagnerian interpretation and criticism. Highly recommended for those who, like me, find themselves spellbound by the Ring.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this slowly, section by section, to correspond with seeing the entire Ring Cycle at New York ‘s Metropolitan Opera this Spring. In this context, Father Lee’s interconnected essays (based on radio talks given for Texaco’s Live from the Met broadcasts) are accessible, lucid, and elegantly written. Father Lee discusses possibilities of meaning and suggests rather than declaims. As a novice Wagnerian whose initial interest was exclusively theatrical, I could not have asked for a better guide to help me navigate the intricacies of theme, meaning, psychology, and myth. A wonderful little book!

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This was an incredible book, especially for anyone who feels the power of the music of Wagner's Ring. And for such a short book, just about 100 pages, it got the job done more efficiently than other lengthy, exhaustive books. Wait, there's more: The book includes reasonable synopsis of the 4 operas, and there is tremendous value in the reviews and descriptions of other books on the Ring (Further Reading), and if THAT were not enough, there is also a list of Recordings, and finally, an index of Musical Themes, starting with the famous e-flat....mmmmmm.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I admit it: I'm very much ignorant about opera. I merely sit there and totally absorb the magnificence of it. That is especially true of Wagner's Ring Cycle, when a few years ago I attended Chicago's Lyric Opera presentation of the cycle. Both before and after that incredible experience, I have been trying to educate myself.

Lee's book is quite wonderful in its simplicity, offering an introduction that true aficionados with a snobbish bent may disparage. For the rest of us, it's valuable and most enjoyable.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've noticed that commentary on the Ring cycle tends to stick to a pretty traditional interpretation of the operas: the Ring saga as a metaphor for nineteenth century industrialization. I liked that this series of essays - based on a radio broadcast - delve into the psychological and metaphysical aspects of the Ring cycle. With references everywhere from Kant to Nietzsche to Kubrick, this book is a solid introduction to some substantive scholarship on what was going through Wagner's mind when he wrote the cycle.

[katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listen to the opera (or parts), read the book, go back and listen, then read again. I'm starting to think I like learning about The Ring more than I like listening to it.
Useful, beginner-level book. Possibly a little too slim.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent explanation of the philosophical and psychological themes in The Ring of the Nibelung operas. It is brief and easy to understand, and a wonderful companion for viewing the operas.

[Charles Pearce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, was this wonderful! In the very last part, Lee talks about the various characters symbolizing aspects of humanity. Like Spock and Bones with Kirk. Then Lee compares the overall assessment being a lot like 2001: A Space Odyssey. Wow again!

[Matthew Hodge · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want a good easy-to-read but in-depth look at the Ring Cycle, this is not a bad book to start with. Just enough of the stuff that you need to know without becoming tedious. And Lee's enthusiasm for the cycle is highly infectious.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear and engaging description and interpretation of the Ring Cycle. Very helpful.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-rounded, pleasurable read on Wager’s Ring Cycle.

[Chris Lira · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally finished watching all 4 operas, then reread this book in its entirety. The plot synopses were helpful, but some of the deep psychological analysis was a bit boring.

[Jake Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

+ : bite-sized book, nice synopses, decent music pointers, all-around unintimidating
- : the ~70% of interpretation based on Jung and Freud (which I find outdated and silly)

[Alethea Hammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really fabulous little book if you like Wagner. However, I don't recommend it for those who haven't seen The Ring performed as least once.

[Félix]

Some valid insights, but ultimately bogged down by too much pop-psychology. Quoting the author (Who's apparently citing Freud): sometimes a cigar is only a cigar.

[Ken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but sensible guide to the Ring. Has the best synopsis of the plots I have read.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always wanted to appreciate the Ring. This helped