Once Afraid of Wagner
I have to admit that I was once afraid of Wagner. For years, I listened to Italian and French opera and loved much of it. However, I just stayed away from Wagner. Recently, I heard Mr. Berger being interviewed about Wagner on NPR. I was immediately taken by his humor, his vast knowledge of the composer's life and his work. So, based on that interview and the reviews on this website, I purchased this book. I can actually say that I no longer fear Wagner. I bought my very first Wagner operas - the entire Ring cycle - and I have enjoyed them more that I could ever imagined. And I can thank Mr. Berger for that. His book on Wagner is easy to read and makes listening to the operas an absolute pleasure. So, have no fear, get this book! Although I already love Verdi and Puccini, I have already ordered Mr. Berger's books on those two great Italian opera composers. Well done, Mr. Berger!
Great Overview
A very reader-friendly review of Wagner's life and then a serious concentration on all of his operas.
Excellent resource for all opera fans.
This is an excellent book for someone like me - a total novice to Wagner and his music. I have always enjoyed Wagner's music and was desperately looking for some introductory material to his works. What I wanted was something that was not too simplistic and not too academic. Well, this is it.
The book contains a brief section on biography followed by a great introduction to each of Wagner's operas. I read each of the opera introductions at least twice and then watch the opera on DVD (The Met's version by Levine). What a treat!
I do understand how some of the more scholarly amongst us find this work shallow and demeaning. But friends, for someone like myself, who does not read music; and has no formal training in music, books such as these are a good first start. And who knows - this book may introduce some yet unknown kid to the joys of opera.
Excellent work. Thank you.
Come on...loosen your collars scholars. This book is good.
I am a young music student and I checked this book out to introduce myself to Wagner's operas. I think this book is fantastic. I also think it is a bit unfair that people nag the book for not being academic enough, for trivializing the meaning of the opers, etc. etc. It seems to me the book only attempts to be an INTRODUCTION to Wagner's operas, and in that sense, he does a great job. The list of reccommending reading tells me that this is meant only as a welcome mat and a vast amount of more serious literature awaits anyone who wishes to dive further into the subject. It is the same sort of Scholarly Elitism you get from people who condemn this book that keeps the classics away from my generation and keeps it in the concert hall for a concert going audience that will soon be gone. Unless people quit condemning this sort of literature which makes these great dramas accessible to new listeners, you can kiss Wagner goodbye in 20 years. Maybe less.
Oh, and Wagner was not just an anarchist, blah blah...he was a horrible anti-semite...more so than the "common sentiment of his day". I saw Gottfried Wagner give a lecture and I think he threw a number out that said Wagner wrote over 1800 pages of anti-semetic sentiments. That seems a bit more than a common sentiment. "All Jews should be burned at a performance of Nathan the Wise." - Richard Wagner.
-- Kyle M. Terrizzi --
bad suggestion for wagner fans
this book is a poor reccomendation for those who appreciate wagner's music.
