Ring Cycle

If someone looks an though they have been "put through the ringer," then there must be a ringer somewhere.

100 years ago, washing machines sometimes had a ringer.

These "ringer-washers" cost MORE than a week's wages!

Which is fine. But that is not the "ring cycle" I am talking about.

I never knew the Rhine had much gold, but apparently it had enough to make a ring!

"It is little known that Richard Wagner was among the very first Westerners to appreciate Buddhism and that he was the first major European artist to be inspired by this religion. In 1856, in the prime of his creativity, the 33-year-old artist read his first book about Buddhism. He conceived two deeply connected opera projects: Tristan und Isolde which he went on to compose and stage, and Die Sieger (The Victors), an opera scenario based on an Indian Buddha legend translated from Sanskrit.

This Buddhist opera project occupied Wagner’s mind for decades until his death in 1883. Indeed, the composer’s last words were about the Buddha...

So... Richard Wagner: Ritt der Walkuren (Berliner Philharmoniker, Daniel Barenboim)



Basicly, we start with a little rhinegold and, after 4 nights of opera, arrive where we started.

Ever watch the movie K-PAX?

Here is Anna Russell's comedic summary of Wagner's Ring Cycle:





Hope that helps you see the ring cycle as an allusion to Buddhism.

TURN UP YOUR SOUND!



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