Customer Reviews

The Life of Richard Wagner

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It is unfortunate that this magisterial biography of Richard Wagner is out of print. Without question, in breadth, depth, and literary style this is the best biography of Der Meister ever written. Like Wagner's music, its effect is hypnotic; once started you have to finish it--all 2,000 plus pages of it. I read it during one summer back in 1983. Foolishly, I sold my 4-volume set long ago and only repurchased it on this web site a few days ago. I was lucky to get a great price. If you like Wagner you MUST read this. If you can't afford one, skip a mortgage payment--it'll be worth it--artistically speaking. A perfect companion to this is Solti's studio recording of Der Ring from 1959-1965--another hundred or so. Everything for Art!

I can only add my enthusiasm to the previous review- This is one of the two greatest biographies I have ever read (the other? Boswell's Johnson). This is lavish to the extreme, Newman covers it all, everyone is here, endless footnotes, gossip, stories... But the real standout is Newman's prose: Balanced and incredbly hilarious and witty like no other biographer I've ever read. It is a funny book! Wagner was a con man musician like no other (and yes I adore I his music). On one occasion Newman comments about Wagner attending "A quite mythical concert tour of Russia in the near future." And mucho goings on about Wagner's famous money mooching and disregard for all concerns except those concerning himself. I too know plenty of people who don't pay their bills but, hey, they're not writing Operas in their spare time. The only question I have is why has this book never been re-printed? This is one of my desert island books. Why isn't there a zillion comments about how great it is? That you must buy this book if you have any feelings for dear Richard and love wonderful writing. Better in leaps and bounds than anything by Shaw. A definite buy!