SEMINAR PROFILE

A10 -
Wagner's "Ring" Operas: What Do They Mean and Why Do They Matter?

Richard Wagner's most ambitious project, a quarter-century in the making, was his cycle of four operas based on "The Song of the Nibelungs-itself an epic poem of Germanic myths, dating back to the 13th century. Since the cycle was first performed in 1876, each new production of "The Ring," like each complete recording, has been heralded as a major artistic event. These operas are adored by many and dismissed by others, just as Wagner himself is both revered and detested. The goal of the seminar is to explore and analyze some specific meanings of "The Ring," both musical and cultural-and from there, to discuss why the operas have had such long-lasting and controversial impact, as demonstrated by a range of later works spanning many genres and media.

Scholar:

Martin Marks

Location:

MIT

Dates:

3/21/2011, 5/13/2011

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A10 -	Wagner's "Ring" Operas: What Do They Mean and Why Do They Matter?

	Richard Wagner's most ambitious project, a quarter-century in the making, was his cycle of four operas based on "The Song of the Nibelungs-itself an epic poem of Germanic myths, dating back to the 13th century. Since the cycle was first performed in 1876, each new production of "The Ring," like each complete recording, has been heralded as a major artistic event. These operas are adored by many and dismissed by others, just as Wagner himself is both revered and detested. The goal of the seminar is to explore and analyze some specific meanings of "The Ring," both musical and cultural-and from there, to discuss why the operas have had such long-lasting and controversial impact, as demonstrated by a range of later works spanning many genres and media.

		Scholar:	Martin Marks
		Location:	MIT
		Dates:	3/21/2011, 5/13/2011