Book Launch: Wagner and the Creation of the Ring

Join the Wagner Society of New York in a special U.S. Book Release: Story of the Century: Wagner and the Creation of the Ring and a talk by its author Michael Downes. Part cultural history, part biography, this is the fascinating story of Richard Wagner’s life, influences, gift for storytelling, and artistic revolution, culminating in his dramatic journey to write The Ring Cycle. Downes states that “the Ring is a story not only from the nineteenth century, but also about it.”

Having garnered favorable reviews (Gramophone, Opera News, Edinburgh Music Review) from its November 2024 U.K. release (Faber & Faber) and named one of the 5 best music books of the year by Presto, we are proud to co-host this U.S. book launch with publishing house Pegasus Books. Hardcover copies of the work will be available for sale.
The event will be followed by a social hour with refreshments.

About the author: Michael Downes is a celebrated conductor, writer, lecturer, and co-author of The Wagners: The Dramas of a Musical Dynasty (Princeton University Press). He is the director of music at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland. Before moving to Scotland, he conducted numerous choral, operatic, orchestral, and contemporary music groups across England.

Livestream: the event will be livestreamed (viewable up to 36 hours after the start of the event). WSNY Members will receive livestream link automatically by e-mail; no need to pre-register.

Venue & Accessibility: The Opera America building has ground-level entry with elevators to the 7th floor. Wheelchair accessible; modular seating will be arranged to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. Handicap-accessible restrooms are available on the same floor. The venue is located on the west side of 7th Avenue between 28th-29th Streets, closer to 29th Street. Sidewalk curb cuts at the 29th Street corner are uneven; for easier access and tactile paving enter from the 28th Street corner (at the downtown #1 subway station).