SKU: HL.49041686

ISBN 9783254080301. 4.75x7.5x0.727 inches. German.

Wagner's 'Lohengrin' is described as a 'great romantic opera' in which Wagner opens up two completely different worlds for the listener. On the one hand, there is the mystical world of the Knight of the Grail which could be described as embodiment of the Christian element in 'Lohengrin', and on the other hand, there is the opposing magical world of Ortrud. Wagner had studied the origins of the medieval legend of the Knight of the Swan intensively for years, with Wolfram von Eschenbach's work certainly being the best source for Wagner's libretto.Apart from the libretto, this edition contains introductory commentaries of Kurt Pahlen who also adds information on the compositional structure and context to the musical as well as external and internal dramatic action of the opera. A short synopsis and a brief outline of the genesis bring the work into relation with the composer's entire oeuvre and life, thus offering a comprehensive, richly illustrated introduction.

SKU: HL.49041688

ISBN 9783254080332. German.

Although 'Rhinegold', like any of the following three parts, is a drama on its own, it reveals its entire meaning only as introduction to the complete work. In 'The Nibelung's Ring', Wagner used his own word creations the principal characteristics of which are effective alliterations. For the first time, this first part of the 'Ring' also contains the 'reminiscence motifs' (it was not until after Wagner's death that Hans von Wolzogen invented the expression of the 'leitmotif' as it is used today).Apart from the libretto, this edition contains introductory commentaries of Kurt Pahlen who also adds information on the compositional structure and context to the musical as well as external and internal dramatic action of the opera. A short synopsis and a brief outline of the genesis bring the work into relation with the composer's entire oeuvre and life, thus offering a comprehensive, richly illustrated introduction.

SKU: HL.49041690

ISBN 9783254080370. 4.75x7.5x0.795 inches. German.

This book, a comprehensive introduction to Richard Wagner's opera 'The Valkyrie', the first evening of the tetralogy 'The Nibelung's Ring', contains the complete libretto with numerous music examples. Kurt Pahlen comments on the work with music-related references as well explanations on the external and internal plot. A summary of the plot and a brief outline of the genesis bring 'The Valkyrie' into relation with the composer's entire oeuvre and his life, thus providing comprehensive, richly illustrated information on this music drama.

SKU: HL.50488658

UPC: 073999886580. 8.25x11.75x0.19 inches.

Contents: Bellini: Norma * Boito: Mefistofele * Catalani: La Wally * Donizetti: L'Elisir d'amore, Linda di Chamounix * Mascagni: Iris * Meyerbeer: Roberto il Diavolo * Mozart: Don Giovanni * Puccini: Madama Butterfly, Tosca, Turandot * Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia (Cavatina: Una voce poco fa) * Verdi: Aida, La Traviata * Wagner: Tannhauser.

SKU: HL.49020155

Ferdinand Leeke.

Ferdinand Leeke (1859-1923) was the creator of a serial of paintings showing scenes from the operas of Richard Wagner.These images provide much more than a simple illustration of Wagner's music dramas. Like no other artist Leeke managed to create the exact atmosphere that Wagner had established by his compositions.The works by Leeke are exhibited in several well-established art-museums, as for example the Neue Pinakothek in Munich and the Richard Wagner Museum in Bayreuth.In 1899 the prominent Bavarian printer Franz Hanfstaengl made copper plates from the original pictures. In a highly complicated procedure Franz Hanfstaengl produced the printing plates to transform Leeke's images into photogravures.These photogravures printed from the original plates are assorted in an exclusive folder that is produced only in a limited edition of 970 pieces worldwide.Every handpulled picture an originalThe art of etching and handcopper prints is regarded as one of the oldest and finestprinting techniques.In case of etching the motif is etched by the artist directly into the copperplate, with heliogravure the image has been engraved by using a complicated and extremly difficult photographic and handicraft procedure.Printing is done on heavy handmade-paper. Today, as 500 years ago, the copperplate is still carefully re-inked by hand and then cleaned with wide-meshed gauze balls, for only when the ink lies deep in the impressions the print will possess the velvety tones and fragile lines so characteristic of old, valuable engravings.The print is produced by pressing the plate under the pressroller with a pressure of around 16 tons. For every single print the entire procedure has to be repeated.To a greater extent than with wooden engravings, the artistic quality of etchings and copper engravings / heliogravures is dependent on the handicraft skills and the aesthetic sensitivity of the printer.This special way of printing has been done by Hanfstaengl publishers since 1833. Through the precise application and remova! of ink, the carefully-considered choice of paper and the use of the hand press, the printing specialists create a precious original with every page.