Published by Icon Books Ltd, Omnibus Business Centre, 39–41 North Road, London N7 9DP Email: [email protected] www.introducingbooks.com ISBN: 978-178578-018-9 Text copyright © 2012 Icon Books Ltd Illustrations copyright © 2012 Icon Books Ltd The author and illustrator has asserted their moral rights Originating editor: Richard Appignanesi No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, or by any means, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Contents Cover Title Page Copyright Introducing Wagner 1. The Operas 2. The Ideas… 3. The Man Revolution (again) A Common Prejudice The Era of Emancipation and Self Promotion Wagner Against History… Endless Melody and the Leitmotiv Cosima Self-Abasement. Beginning of the World Of the Psyche Wagner … Wholesome? Wagner Chronology Select Bibliography Discography Introducing Wagner In Israel, Wagner’s music is effectively unplayable because of its associations with the Third Reich. Rare performances draw public protest, questions in the Knesset. In Bayreuth, though, Wagner occupies the right-hand throne to God. Every July and August pilgrims gather from the corners of the earth to pay him homage at the annual festival devoted solely to HIS music. As fanatical as any world religion, it is a genre of hero–worship known as WAGNEROLATRY. 1. The Operas There are 13, of which 10 count among the mightiest artistic achievements ever encompassed by man (or woman)—not to mention overtures, songs, marches, symphonies, chamber music and symphonic poems — THEY DEMAND HEAVY RESOURCES, BUDGETS AND VOICES AND ARE STAGGERING ONE-MAN PROJECTS, IN THAT I ALWAYS WROTE MY OWN LIBRETTT*. Libretto* The IDEA and story line - often all the lyrics to an opera or operetta the screenplay and script