An introduction to Wagner's Ring Cycle – music appreciation 6 to 8 Mar 2026 with Roy Stratford

Music

Ref: SWE37790

Location: West Dean

£329

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About this course

This weekend course will offer a gentle introduction to the music and ideas behind the extraordinary artistic achievement of Wagner's Ring Cycle: a series of four operas based on Teutonic myth. The tutor's lively talks are accompanied by examples from the music, and an informal recital on Saturday evening.

Course Description

Wagners Ring Cycle, four operas based on Teutonic myth, is a work of staggering ambition and complexity, which can be bewildering to the uninitiated. It is easy to get lost in the myriad characters and relationships that arise during the work whilst losing sight of the most important aspect, Wagners overwhelming and infinitely imaginative score.

This course will attempt a gentle introduction to the music and ideas behind this extraordinary artistic achievement and make future trips to Bayreuth all the more enjoyable!

A recital is included in the programme for course participants. Non-resident students who would like to book dinner at the College on Saturday evening, prior to the recital, should book this in advance with the Bookings Office. Additional tickets may be purchased for guests via: www.westdean.ac.uk/events

Course Materials

Included

a ticket for the recital on Saturday evening

What students need to bring

a notebook and Pen if you wish

Additional information

Additional tickets for public/guests for the recital are available to purchase online, in advance or on the evening. Please book tickets via www.westdean.ac.uk/events. Tickets cost £15.

Timetable

Arrival day
Residential students can arrive from 4pm, non-residential students to arrive by 7.15pm for registration. Students arriving earlier are welcome to purchase dinner in the College Dining Room from 6pm.
Students meet their tutor in the Bar at 7.30pm prompt to go to studios.
First Teaching session: 7.30pm - 9pm (attendance is essential)

Daily timetable
Course teaching: 9.15am - 5pm
Morning session: 9.15am - 12.45pm including coffee/tea break
Lunch break: 12.45pm - 2pm*
Afternoon session: 2pm - 5pm including coffee/tea break
Teaching finishes: 5pm
Evening working: students may have access to workshops until 9pm, but only with permission from the tutor and provided any health and safety guidelines are observed.

Departure day
Course teaching: 9.15am - 3pm
Teaching finishes: 3pm

Residential students will need to check out of rooms by 10am. Please note, the tutor may make slight variations to the daily timetable as required.

*Lunch can be purchased on campus, view options

General Information

Terms & Conditions

Tutors

Roy Stratford

Roy Stratford was very lucky to have had a music teacher at school who had been a student of the great Austrian modernist composer Anton Webern and who inspired in him a great love of music and a particular interest in the Austro-Germanic tradition from Bach to Stockhausen. He went on to study music at Reading University and then the Royal College of Music ( conducting with Norman del Mar) and has since developed a very varied musical career as pianist, conductor, composer and lecturer.