< 영어로 읽는 고전 _ 버나드 쇼의 니벨룽의 반지에 대한 해설>
"The Perfect Wagnerite: A Commentary on the Niblung’s Ring"은 버나드 쇼(Bernard Shaw)가 1898년에 출판한 책으로, 리하르트 바그너(Richard Wagner)의 오페라 사이클 "니벨룽의 반지(The Ring of the Nibelung)"에 대한 해설과 비평을 담고 있습니다. 이 책은 바그너의 작품을 단순히 음악적 측면에서만 분석하는 것이 아니라, 그 속에 담긴 정치적, 철학적, 사회적 의미를 깊이 있게 탐구하고 있습니다.
"The Perfect Wagnerite"은 바그너의 작품을 심층적으로 이해하고자 하는 사람들에게 필수적인 참고서입니다. 버나드 쇼는 이 책을 통해 바그너의 "니벨룽의 반지"를 단순한 예술작품 이상의 것으로 설명하며, 그 속에 담긴 복잡한 사회적, 정치적 의미를 해석합니다. 이 책은 바그너의 작품을 더욱 풍부하게 감상할 수 있도록 도와주는 동시에, 당대의 사회적 이슈에 대한 쇼의 비판적 시각을 엿볼 수 있는 기회를 제공합니다.

< Classics in English _ The Perfect Wagnerite _ A Commentary on the Niblung’s Ring by Bernard Shaw >
"The Perfect Wagnerite: A Commentary on the Ring of the Nibelung" is a book published by Bernard Shaw in 1898, which contains commentary and criticism on Richard Wagner's opera cycle "The Ring of the Nibelung." This book analyzes Wagner's work not only in terms of music, but also deeply explores the political, philosophical, and social implications contained within it.
"The Perfect Wagnerite" is an essential reference for those who want to deeply understand Wagner's work. Through this book, Bernard Shaw explains Wagner's "The Ring of the Nibelung" as more than just a work of art, and interprets the complex social and political implications contained within it. This book helps you appreciate Wagner's work more richly, while also providing an opportunity to glimpse Shaw's critical perspective on contemporary social issues.

Summary
A few of these will be welcome to the ordinary citizen visiting the theatre to satisfy his curiosity, or his desire to be in the fashion, by witnessing a representation of Richard Wagner's famous Ring of the Niblungs.
First, The Ring, with all its gods and giants and dwarfs, its water-maidens and Valkyries, its wishing-cap, magic ring, enchanted sword, and miraculous treasure, is a drama of today, and not of a remote and fabulous antiquity. It could not have been written before the second half of the nineteenth century, because it deals with events which were only then consummating themselves.

Contents
Preface to the First German Edition
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
Preface to the First Edition

THE PERFECT WAGNERITE
PRELIMINARY ENCOURAGEMENTS
THE RING OF THE NIBLUNGS
THE RHINE GOLD
WAGNER AS REVOLUTIONIST
THE VALKYRIES
SIEGFRIED
BACK TO OPERA AGAIN
SIEGFRIED AS PROTESTANT
PANACEA QUACKERY, OTHERWISE IDEALISM
DRAMATIC ORIGIN OF WOTAN
THE LOVE PANACEA
NOT LOVE, BUT LIFE
ANARCHISM NO PANACEA
SIEGFRIED CONCLUDED
NIGHT FALLS ON THE GODS
PROLOGUE
A WAGNERIAN NEWSPAPER CONTROVERSY
FORGOTTEN ERE FINISHED
WHY HE CHANGED HIS MIND
WAGNER'S OWN EXPLANATION
THE PESSIMIST AS AMORIST
THE MUSIC OF THE RING
THE CHARACTERIZATION
THE OLD AND THE NEW MUSIC
THE NINETEENTH CENTURY
THE MUSIC OF THE FUTURE
BAYREUTH
BAYREUTH IN ENGLAND
WAGNERIAN SINGERS