THE translator has thought it advisable to retain the original German
of all verse quotations, with English translations appended in most
instances. The English of lines from The Flying Dutchman, Tannhäuser,
The Mastersingers of Nuremberg, The Ring cycle and Parsifal is from
Mr. Ernest Newman translations, that of lines from Lobengrin and
Tristan and Isolda from Messrs. Corders' translations. These versions
are in the first instance "singable" and are therefore not always
literal. For permission to quote from them acknowledgments are
due to Messrs. Breitkopf & Härtel and Mr. Ernest Newman.

The English of passages from Rienzi and the lesser operas, of
passages eventually deleted by Wagner from the libretti of the
greater operas, and of lines from non-Wagnerian works has been
supplied by the translator.

The translator wishes to thank Mr. Eric Blom for most kind
assistance in revising a number of technical or semi-technical passages
of musical description and criticism.