Before there was Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, there was Richard Wagner’s The Ring of Nibelung. Infused with ancient Norse and Germanic myths, the composer’s epic opera cycle deals in power, corruption, and uncontrollable destruction. At its center is a ring forged from the enchanted riches of the Rhine river. All who look upon it will do anything to poss ... Show More
Nov 2022
Thanksgiving Special: Zorro, the Curse of Capistrano
He’s the swashbuckling fox of Southern California, a masked bandit who fights injustice with skill and swagger. In our Thanksgiving Special, meet the Curse of Capistrano, the lion-hearted legend himself, as he outwits his ruthless enemies and falls in love! Learn more about your ... Show More
1h 10m
Nov 2022
Thanksgiving Special: Zorro, the Curse of Capistrano
He’s the swashbuckling fox of Southern California, a masked bandit who fights injustice with skill and swagger. In our Thanksgiving Special, meet the Curse of Capistrano, the lion-hearted legend himself, as he outwits his ruthless enemies and falls in love! Learn more about your ... Show More
1h 8m
Jun 2015
3C-Vikings: Renewed shall be Blade that was Broken
You can clearly see J.R.R. Tolkien's inspiration in this episode, what with that cursed ring finally making an appearance, a legendary sword reforged, and a selfish psychopath of a dragon sitting atop a pile of gold. Loki casually says something when he walks out the door which t ... Show More
27m 51s
Dec 2022
The Nibelungenlied
Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss The Song of the Nibelungs, a twelfth century German epic, full of blood, violence, fantasy and bleakness. It is a foundational work of medieval literature, drawing on the myths of Scandinavia and central Europe. The poem tells of two couples, Siegf ... Show More
54m 49s
Dec 2024
S07E04 - Literature⏐Tolkien and the power of the ring
Some jewels have only ever existed in books, and this is probably why they are so famous. Tolkien’s rings are amongst those mythical jewels found only in fiction, created thanks to their talented author. However, Tolkien did in fact, attempt to anchor his iconic rings to a true s ... Show More
13m 35s
Jul 2020
189A-Medieval Legends: Cheater Cheater
The story starts out with one prince slaying a dragon and getting rich. It starts there. The wild ride of the Nibelungenlied has echoes of one of our most beloved stories, the Saga of the Volsungs, with it's over-the-top characters, the ridiculous situations, the betrayals, and, ... Show More
36m 27s
Oct 2023
RHINE RIVER - The Sirens Song
Rhine River - Winding its way through Western Europe for over 760 miles, has long been a source of fascination, inspiration, and myth. This majestic waterway has played a pivotal role in the history and culture of the region, giving rise to a rich tapestry of folklore that has en ... Show More
36m 26s