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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

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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.

[[#64ab]] Definitive “Love Motif”

(#64a may be influenced by #22, but also likely by #24; #64b based directly on #40, and via #40, #39, and #25, originates in the vocal line of Alberich's remark: "The third, so true, betrayed me as well?", and also in another Embryo from R.1; basis of #80b, #133, #140, and possibly #145)

[See #60 for #64’s dramatic context]

[[#65]] Siegmund's I’ll-Fortune

Siegmund’s ill-fortune is a consequence of the “Noth” Wotan, Siegmund’s father, has subjected him to in order to inspire his heroic, individual conscience, as a mortal rebel against the gods’ rule

(#65’s motival links, if any, not yet ascertained)

“Sieglinde: A sweetened draught (#63) of honeyed mead you’ll not, I hope, disdain.

 

Siegmund: (#63) Will you not try it first?

 

Sieglinde sips from the horn and hands it back to him. #63 Clarinet & Horns; #40 or #64 Vari Clarinet: Siegmund takes a long draught, while fixing his eyes on her with growing warmth. #40?: He takes the horn from his lips and slowly lets it sink, while the expression on his face turns to one of powerful emotion. #62; #40 or #64 Vari: He sighs deeply, and gloomily casts his eyes to the ground.)

 

Siegmund: (With a trembling voice: #62 Vari Voc?) You’ve tended an ill-fated man: (#63) May Wunsch [“Wish”, i.e., one of Wotan’s nicknames] avert ill-fortune from you! I’ve rested now and sweet was my ease: (#63) Now shall I wend my way further. (He moves towards the back of the stage.)

 

Sieglinde: (Turning round quickly) Who’s hunting you down, that you flee so soon?

 

Siegmund: [[ #65 ]] Ill-fortune follows wherever I flee. [[ #65 ]] I'll fortune draws near me wherever I turn. (#40 or #64b Vari?) From you, woman, may it stay far away. I’ll turn my steps and eyes from here.

 

Sieglinde: (Impulsively forgetting herself and calling after him.) Then tarry here! (guardedly: #40 Voc) Ill-luck you cannot bring (slower) to a house where ill-luck lives!