Wagner Without Fear: Learning to Love--and Even Enjoy--Opera's Most Demanding Genius [Paperback]

Being a Mozart-Puccini-Lehar-... fan, but taking the plunge by buying tickets to Die Walküre this summer in Zürich, I looked for an introductory book on a "scary" subjet and decided on this one, despite a few cranky Amazon reviews. What a pleasure it was to read, and useful, too! It is a very complete book for the neophyte, has lots of material, not only good synopses with commentary, but a lot of context, describing Wagner's life and loves, his relations (often strange and strained) with father-in-law Liszt, other musicians, King Ludwig II of Bavaria, conductor von Bülow (whose wife he swiped) and others. One gets a good sense of the times in 19th century Germany and Europe in general. It's written in a pleasant, non-pedantic style, with just enough humorous comments without being off-putting. There is also a wealth of practical information - one might complain about his suggesting timing washroom breaks during performances, but it makes sense for a neophyte who doesn't realise that certain Wagnerian acts alone are longer than many Italian operas in their entirety! He warns about some acts that might appear longish in a first hearing, but says to read the libretto beforehand, hang in there, but if that still doesn't work, well, maybe Wagner isn't your cup of tea after all! There's a terrific description of Bayreuth, its history and its current festival atmosphere, lots of bibliographic sources for those who want to delve further into "understanding" Wagner's works, but emphasises that they were written mainly to be enjoyed by ordinary folks, and not particularly for the self-appointed "elite". There is a good chapter on various recordings and historic performances, how to behave at intermission (!) and at Bayreuth, a glossary, discussions of logical inconsistencies which are legion in Wagner's work (as in most operas), a description of how the various characters are developed in the Ring cycle, etc. All in all, a terrific introductory book.

Beyond the obnoxious attempts at humor, this book is terribly annoying in its utter lack of scholarship. Consider it a compilation of Wagnerian stereotypes, suffering further through smug witlessness.

To belittle Wagner's music as "pseudo-philosophy" is ridiculous. Any person who has read Wagner's own letters and essays will soon realize that Wagner was no philosophical dilettante; Wagner was obsessed with Schoepenhauer, studying his theories compulsively.

Furthermore, Wagner was not a proto-Fascist/Nazi; he was, in fact, an anarchist exiled for disobedience. The Ring is essentially a statement on force, power, and materialism's spiritually-destructive effect. Does this resemble the Third Reich's ethos?!

As for his anti-Semitism, Wagner's attitudes were not uncommon in 19th century Germany (especially considering it was a fledgling nation, thus exacerbating cultural exclusivity). Additionally, some of Wagner's strongest collaborations were with Jews (not to mention a legacy of 20th century Jewish conductors - Solti, Barenboim, Walter, Klemperer, Levine, etc, etc). Clearly, Wagner was not so repugnant, even to Jews, as to merit exile from the musical canon; his musical contributions prevail, not his anti-Semitism.

If you wish to find a well-written and well-researched Wagnerian primer, read Brian Magee's work. Even better, read Wagner's own scores/librettos and letters/essays! _Wagner Without Fear_ is a lazy (and stupid) man's approach to Wagner; it does him no service.

this book is a poor reccomendation for those who appreciate wagner's music.