Perfect Wagnerite

G. B. Shaw (1856-1950) wrote "e;The Perfect Wagnerite"e; as a philosophical examination of Richard Wagner's epic four-opera cycle, "e;Der Ring des Nibelungen"e; ("e;The Ring of the Nibelung"e;). A tremendously accomplished dramatist himself, Shaw seemed perfectly poised to turn his critical eye on Wagner's 19th century masterpiece. Wagner completed "e;The Ring"e; in 1853, after decades of effort. A work of such ambition takes much unpacking, and so Shaw offers us his critique. In his preface, Shaw writes, "e;All I pretend to do in this book is to impart the ideas which are most likely to be lacking in the conventional Englishman's equipment... I venture to add my commentary to what has already been written by musicians who are no revolutionists, and revolutionists who are no musicians"e;. And economic revolution is precisely what G. B. Shaw sees in this opera. Wagner wrote "e;The Ring"e; as a young political radical, steeped in the anarchist ideology of his day. Shaw views the opera as a critique of capitalism and industrial revolution. His Marxist reading is not surprising-he was a leading Socialist figure of his time, helping to propel the fledgling Fabian Society into public awareness. Shaw does a great deal here to further the "e;cult of Wagner"e; that remains strong today. Entertaining as it is compelling, "e;The Perfect Wagnerite"e; stands as a principle commentary on one of opera's most daring compositions.