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Table of Contents

Title Page
Dedication Page
General Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations for key references
Guide to abbreviations used in text
Allen Dunning's numbered Guide to the Ring's Musical Motifs
Detailed Table of Contents

The Ring

Introduction


References
Appendix I
Appendix I I

Key Colour Coding

Donations Welcome

I would be grateful for donations of any size, small or large, to help defray the cost (1) of maintaining this website, (2) and to finance my past and present research which produced my book posted here, Volume One of "The Wound That Will Never Heal," and my forthcoming revision of Volume One (to be submitted for publication), and completion of Volume Two on Wagner's six other canonic operas and music-dramas. I sacrificed at least seven years of paid employment and incurred debts to complete this project, and am currently unemployed, so I thank you in advance for any financial help you can provide. Your friend, Paul Heise.

[[#39]] Alberich’s unbearable anguish: he has found there is no love in the world

(#39 based on #25 but ultimately on the vocal line of Alberich's despair at being rejected by the Rhinedaughters: "(#39 Embryo Voc) The third, so true, betrayed me as well?"; basis of #40, #64b, #80b, #133, #140 and perhaps #145)

[Wotan has decided, with the aid of Loge’s cunning, to descend into the realm of the Nibelungs, Nibelheim, to steal Alberich’s Ring and Hoard so he can redeem Freia from the Giants. The following interlude is a musical and scenic description of their descent.]

 

Interlude: (The sulphurous mists darken in colour to form a completely black cloud, which moves from below to above; this is then transformed into a solid, rocky chasm that continues moving upwards, thus giving the impression that the stage is sinking deeper and deeper into the earth [Erde, i.e., Erda]. #33b?; #37; #5; #12; #19; #25>[[ #39 ]]>[[ #40 ]]; [[ #41 ]]; a dark red light begins to glow at various points in the distance: a noise as though of people forging can be heard on all sides. The ringing of the anvils dies away. A subterranean cavern, stretching away endlessly into the distance, can be made out, apparently opening into narrow shafts on every side.)

[[#40]] “Love” under threat from Alberich's curse on love

Sometimes known as “Tragic Love”

(#40 based on #25 and #39; basis of #64b, #80b, #133, #140, and perhaps #145)

[see #39 for #40’s dramatic context]

[[#41]] Nibelungs as Slaves of Labor

Commonly known as the “Nibelung Forging Motif” – This motif represents Wagner’s notion that labor which is the product of consciously ulterior motives, whose sole purpose is the satisfaction of vulgar physical need and the quest for profit, prompted by the lust for power or by the fear of others’ power, has no value, while the labor which one undertakes spontaneously, as the product of one’s own nature, such as unconscious artistic inspiration, is joyous.

(#41 based on #5ab, #10, and especially #13; related to #45ab and #161ab)