The Consolations of History: Themes of Progress and Potential in Richard Wagners

Description: The Consolations of History: Themes of Progress and Potential in Richard Wagners Gotterdammerung by Alexander Shapiro Estimated delivery 3-12 business days Format Hardcover Condition Brand New Description Alexander H. Shapiro provides a fresh look at the influences on Wagners Götterdämmerung, and critically re-evaluates the composers intellectual worldview as revealed in his own prose works, letters and diary entries. The book challenges conventional views that continue to impede a clear understanding of this works meaning. Publisher Description In this book on Richard Wagners compelling but enigmatic masterpiece Götterdämmerung, the final opera of his monumental Ring tetralogy, Alexander H. Shapiro advances an ambitious new interpretation which uncovers intriguing new facets to the works profound insights into the human condition. By taking a fresh look at the philosophical and historical influences on Wagner, and critically reevaluating the composers intellectual worldview as revealed in his own prose works, letters, and diary entries, the book challenges a number of conventional views that continue to impede a clear understanding of this works meaning. The book argues that Götterdämmerung, and hence the Ring as a whole, achieves coherence when interpreted in terms of contemporary nineteenth-century theories of progress, and, in particular, G.W.F. Hegels philosophies of mind and history. A central target of the book is the article of faith that has come to dominate Wagner scholarship over the years – that Wagners encounter in 1854 with Arthur Schopenhauers philosophy conclusively altered the final message of the Ring from one of historical optimism to existential pessimism. The author contends that Schopenhauers uncompromising denigration of the will and denial of the possibility for human progress find no place in the written text of the Ring or in a plausible reading of the final musical setting. In its place, the author discovers in the famous Immolation Scene a celebration of mankinds inexhaustible capacity for self-improvement and progress. The author makes the further compelling case that this message of progress is communicated not through Siegfried, the traditional male hero of the drama, but through BrÜnnhilde, the warrior goddess who becomes a mortal woman. In her role as a battle-tested world-historical prophet she is the true revolutionary change agent of Wagners opera who has the strength and vision to comprehend and thereby shape human history. This highly lucid and accessible study is aimed not only at scholars and researchers in the fields of opera studies, music and philosophy, and music history, but also Wagner enthusiasts, and readers and students interested in the history and philosophy of the nineteenth century. Author Biography Alexander H. Shapiro is a practicing lawyer and independent scholar based in New York, U.S. His published works include "McEwan and Forster: The Perfect Wagnerites" in The Wagner Journal (2011), and "Drama of an Infinitely Superior Nature: Handels Early English Oratorios and the Religious Sublime" in Music & Letters (1993). Details ISBN 0367243210 ISBN-13 9780367243210 Title The Consolations of History: Themes of Progress and Potential in Richard Wagners Gotterdammerung Author Alexander Shapiro Format Hardcover Year 2019 Pages 158 Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd GE_Item_ID:126290181; About Us Grand Eagle Retail is the ideal place for all your shopping needs! With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and over 1,000,000 in stock items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! Shipping & Delivery Times Shipping is FREE to any address in USA. Please view eBay estimated delivery times at the top of the listing. Deliveries are made by either USPS or Courier. We are unable to deliver faster than stated. International deliveries will take 1-6 weeks. NOTE: We are unable to offer combined shipping for multiple items purchased. This is because our items are shipped from different locations. Returns If you wish to return an item, please consult our Returns Policy as below: Please contact Customer Services and request "Return Authorisation" before you send your item back to us. Unauthorised returns will not be accepted. Returns must be postmarked within 4 business days of authorisation and must be in resellable condition. Returns are shipped at the customer's risk. We cannot take responsibility for items which are lost or damaged in transit. For purchases where a shipping charge was paid, there will be no refund of the original shipping charge. Additional Questions If you have any questions please feel free to Contact Us. Categories Baby Books Electronics Fashion Games Health & Beauty Home, Garden & Pets Movies Music Sports & Outdoors Toys

Price: 174.3 USD

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End Time: 2024-12-17T04:26:36.000Z

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