The Ring of the Nibelung

A First-Year Tutorial offered fall 2021, taught by Eugene Gaub, professor of music

The Ring of the Nibelung is the most ambitious work of musical theatre ever conceived. Richard Wagner’s cycle of four music dramas has many dimensions: it is an adventure tale based on mythology, a history of the world itself, a demonstration of the corrupting effects of power and of redemption through love, and an exploration of the subconscious mind that anticipated the insights of Freud and Jung. Through a variety of approaches and interpretations, we will explore the layers of meaning in the work and examine aspects of Wagner himself that have made him the most controversial composer in history.  Music reading ability is not required.