The Ring of the Nibelung (Penguin Clothbound Classics)

It is a good thing that this monumental work is being seen as great literature, being published by ‘Penguin Classics’, the same company that re-introduced much of the world to Greek and Roman classics in the mid 20th Century. And in this edition, it is good to see it being presented in this handsome hardbound book, with synopsis, notes, fine introduction, etc. This is the finest publication of this classic opera cycle that I have ever seen

Most of the reviews here are of other books, not the one pictured. The Deathridge is a new translation. First, important to note that despite nice buckram binding, this book is glued, not sewn, therefore not really a gift-quality or lasting book. However, I don't much care. I recently saw the Ring Cycle here at the Metropolitan Opera. It impressed me no end. The text is a must. There are other translations, notably Stewart Spencer's, which comes highly recommended by fans and critics, and is a full-fledged "Companion" to the Ring, with musical notes re the leitmotifs etc. This book here? It's a fluent, highly readable English translation, with facing German. The German includes all stage directions, summaries, etc. Invaluable. And btw actually a good story. The essence of the Ring is just that: A great story set to phenomenal music. The character of Brunnhilde might be the most detailed, interesting character in all of Western literature.

This translation is designed for reading.It may not be the most word-by-word literal translation and it is not intended to be a sing-able translation, but it is the most readable translation that I have encountered.Also, the book is physically nice. with a shoelace-style bookmark bound into the book.I am very happy with this purchase.

This translation is a work of art in its own right. It was written with the specific purpose of being sung and those who listen to the Goodall recording of The Ring will hear it in its intended context. It does a superb job. Bernard Levin wrote a wonderful column in The Times singing its praises. Do we need a book? Owners of the Goodall recording hear it wonderfully articulated, as well as having a hard copy version with the CDs. Owners of German recording will get an English translation, unconstrained by Porter's need to match the words with the musical modulations. All I can say is - try listening to a German recording with this translation in your hands. It adds a whole new dimension to the understanding.

GREAT EASY TO READ TRANSLATION

This translation has little to do with the turgid prose of Wagner and the Victorian translations that have become the Ring's legacy. One might object to Dr. Deathridge's modernizations including some slang, but this edition is easy on the eyes. Besides, the German is there on the left sided pages as a check. Well-bound and well typeset.

Nicely bound volume with Wagner's original German and an English translation on facing pages. Also includes Wagner's stage instructions compiled from his writings, which are interesting. The English translation, by Deathridge, is superior to most of those found online or on DVD subtitles, but it does have quite a few infelicities, mostly minor.

I liked the translation very much. It's fine for someone who does not speak German and just wants a. simple and direct translation. I like the book very much.

Although I haven't read the book yet, I have analyzed its contents and thumbed through the layout and decided to come back and write a quick review to anyone interested in purchase.It's hardcover copy is almost twice the price but well worth it. With taxes you're looking at around 50$ CAD compared to the 26$ CAD soft cover version. The cover feels solid and very well made. It feels like felt cloth when you run your hands all over it, compared to that cheap cardboard feel with other books that just throw a sleeve on it. Compare this cover to Dante Alighieri's the divine comedy where the cover is similar in size but very cheaply made.This book is neither cheaply made nor is it poorly formatted and it's larger than expected (which is actually nice) because the left side is the original German and the right side the English.I can't comment on the story itself as I haven't read the Ring of the Nibelung, but I can say as an avid book reader that the layout and writing makes for a very considerate reading experience.Kudos to the people who formatted this masterpiece.The extra 25$ in price is worth it.

The media could not be loaded.  Essa versão de O Anel dos Nibelungos não é um sumples conto da mitologia germânica/nórdica. O livro é literalmente a tradução do poema escrito por Richard Wagner, usado na sua ópera de mesmo nome. O que me fez ir atrás desse livro foi a tradução de John Deathridge, do alemão para o inglês, considerada a melhor feita até hoje. O livro é bilingue, sendo as páginas da esquerda em alemão e as da direita em inglês, e é diagramado de forma que o leitor consiga seguir a tradução refletida certinho, verso a verso, podendo até aprender palavras ppr mera associação, de tão bem feita. Para os fãs da obra de Wagner, é um prato cheio. Além da tradução da ópera na íntegra, o início do livro explica um pouco sobre o contexto da mitologia, da obra e do músico, para quem não é familiarizado. Admito que deve-se ter um inglês no mínimo avançado e um rico vocabulário para apreciar a leitura. Caso contrário, tudo poderá se tornar muito cansativo e vai exigir inúmeras pausas para a procura de palavras no dicionário.

The content of the book is wonderful and it is certainly worth every cent. But the material (especially the pages, although also the covers), is of an unbelievable low quality. I feel I may end up tearing the pages just by turning them.

Product arrived in great condition. Had the book previously, glad to have one back in my library.

I have various translations of the Ring in cd sets and book form, but this seems to me to get to the heart of the text most effectively, far better than the Porter version, for example, though that was expressly a singing translation and worked within a range of constraints that made it a remarkable achievement.This has the added bonus of a very illuminating, if brief introduction that draws on Deathridge's wide-ranging expertise as a Wagner scholar. No Wagnerphile should overlook this book.