Means and Motifs: Niall Hoskin assesses a new, wide-ranging study of the ‘Ring’ that while valuable is in need of an editor

This is the late work of a remarkable opera enthusiast: having studied literature at Cambridge and with a career in publishing behind him, Charles Ellis began writing this ‘fresh look at the dramatic and musical structure’ of the Ring ten years ago, on his 77th birthday. He brings to it the experience of countless operas attended (including seventeen Ring cycles), extensive reading and, as is evident, lengthy cogitation. He lays no claim to being a musician, however; nor does he appear to have an authoritative command of German.