Richard Wagner (1813-1883) was arguably the most influential composer in the history of Western music, and his magnum opus Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung) stands as one of the most remarkable and influential works of art ever created. Wagner intended his monumental cycle of four operas (Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried, and Götterdämmerung) to be presented over the course of four days.
Staging the Ring is a colossal undertaking. Lyric Opera of Chicago's presentation of the Ring in 1996 was the first complete cycle here since 1930. This display was created to coincide with the Spring 2005 presentation – likely the last in Chicago for some time.
Object List
Bayreuther Festblaetter in Wort und Bild. Münich: Richard Wagner Society, 1884.
Newberry Library + v29 .9509
Bennett, Joseph. Letters from Bayreuth Descriptive and Critical of Wagner's "Der Ring Des Nibelungen". London: Novello, Ewer & Co., 1877.
Newberry Library v 461 .952955
Das Bühnenfestspielhaus zu Bayreuth, Nebst einem Berichte über die Grundsteinlegung desselben. Leipzig, Germany: E. W. Fritsch, 1873.
Newberry Library w378 .95
Kinder und Haus Märchen Gesammerlt durch die Brüder Grimm. Berlin: G. Reimer, 1825.
Newberry Library B8547.374
Lakberg, Baron Joseph von. Der Nibelunge Lied. Leipzig, Germany: Otto und Georg Wigland, 1840.
Newberry Library FY 9565.N5084
Müller, Franz. Der Ring des Nibelungen, Ein Studie zur Einführung in die gleichnamige Dichtung Richard Wagners. Leipzig, Germany: Berlag von Guftav Heinze, 1862.
Newberry Library v29 .955875
Wagner, Richard. Das Rehingold. Mainz, Germany: B. Schott's Söhne, 1873.
Newberry Library VM 1500 w13ri
Wagner, Richard. Der Ring des Nibelungen. Leipzig, Germany: J. J. Weber, 1873.
Newberry Library w 461 .952
Wagner, Richard. Die Walküre. New York, c. 1877.
Newberry Library v 461 .95111
Wagner, Richard. Letter to Theodore Thomas. March 18, 1876.
Newberry Library Midwest Manuscripts Thomas Box 3 Folder 136
Wagner, Richard. Oper und Drama. Leipzig, Germany: J. J. Weber, 1852.
Newberry Library v29 .95082
Wagner, Richard. Richard Wagners Lebens-Bericht. Leipzig, Germany: Edwin Schloemp, 1884.
Newberry Library v29 .95035
Wagner, Richard. Ueber die Bestimmung der Oper, Ein Akademischer Vortag von Richard Wagner. Leipzig, Germany: E. W. Fritzsch, 1871
Newberry Library pV 46 .951