Description
By C. E. Smith. Illustrated by Byam Shaw. Full color edition. Enter the magical world of Richard Wagner’s operas through these enchanting retellings of three of his celebrated works. Stories from Wagner Told to the Children brings the stories behind these great musical dramas to life with all their romance, mystery, courage, and adventure.
Within these pages, readers will encounter the haunting legend of The Flying Dutchman, the noble knight of Lohengrin, and the singers and craftsmen of The Mastersingers of Nuremberg. Drawing upon the medieval legends and traditions that inspired Wagner, Smith presents these tales in a clear and engaging style that can be enjoyed by both children and adults.
Passed down through generations and preserved in legend and song long before Wagner transformed them through music and drama, these stories tell of noble knights and mysterious origins, of wandering sailors cursed by fate, and of love, loyalty, rivalry, and sacrifice. Smith captures their rich atmosphere and enduring appeal while introducing readers to the narratives behind some of Wagner’s most celebrated music dramas.
Part of the beloved Told to the Children series, this volume offers an inviting introduction to Wagner’s operatic world, preserving the romance, wonder, and drama of these classic tales for a new generation.
This carefully restored edition preserves the original text and illustrations by acclaimed British artist Byam Shaw, bringing this classic introduction to Wagner’s legendary world to a new generation of readers.
About the author: Little is known about C. E. Smith, the British author of Stories from Wagner Told to the Children. Written in the early twentieth century as part of the popular Told to the Children series, the book introduces younger readers to the old legends and stories that Wagner adapted for the operatic stage.
About the illustrator: John Byam Liston Shaw (1872–1919), known professionally as Byam Shaw, was a British painter, illustrator, designer, and teacher associated with the later Pre-Raphaelite tradition. Born in Madras, British India, he studied at the St. John’s Wood Art School and the Royal Academy Schools in London, where he gained recognition for his artistic talent. He died in London during the influenza pandemic of 1919.
