The Valkyries by E. F. Benson and Richard Wagner
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"The Valkyries" by E. F. Benson is a narrative prose adaptation of Richard Wagner's opera "Die Walküre," written in the early 20th century. The text explores themes of love, fate, and the power of the gods through a rich tapestry of characters, particularly focusing on Siegmund, Sieglinde, and the Valkyrie Brunnhilde. This adaptation seeks to make Wagner's grand and complex story more accessible to English-speaking audiences. The opening of "The Valkyries" sets
a dramatic and foreboding tone, depicting an unusually harsh winter in a time when spring is expected to arrive, symbolizing chaos in both the natural world and the lives of the characters. Readers are introduced to Sieglinde, trapped in a loveless marriage to Hunding, who is portrayed as brutish and cruel. As the tumult of the winter storms parallels Sieglinde's inner turmoil and longing for love, a mysterious stranger appears, who is later revealed to be Siegmund. Their encounter ignites a connection filled with hope and desire, setting the stage for a conflict with Hunding. As the narrative unfolds, it hints at the impending clash between love and duty, as Wotan, the god, grapples with the consequences of fate and his own plans for his children. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Benson, E. F. (Edward Frederic), 1867-1940 |
|---|---|
| Author | Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883 |
| Illustrator | Noyes Lewis, T., 1862-1946 |
| Title | The Valkyries |
| Credits | Produced by Marc D'Hooghe (Images generously made available by the Google Books Project.) |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 82.0 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PR: Language and Literatures: English literature |
| Subject | Operas -- Stories, plots, etc. |
| Subject | Wagner, Richard, 1813-1883. Ring des Nibelungen. Walküre -- Adaptations |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 46119 |
| Release Date | Jun 28, 2014 |
| Last Update | Oct 24, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 378 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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