Richard Wagner: Parsifal (Cambridge Opera Handbooks) [Paperback]

Lucy Beckett (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cambridge Opera Handbooks | Publication Date: August 31, 1981

In this book Lucy Beckett gives a comprehensive account of Wagner's last and strangest opera. The literary sources of this work, its many links with Wagner's life and thought, its libretto, music and stage history, are all thoroughly examined. There is a full commentary, with extensive quotation, on the work's critical history, and finally, a fresh assessment of its place in the Wagner canon and of its unique quality as a music drama that is both modern and Christian. Full references, a bibliography and a discography are provided. A special chapter of musical analysis is contributed by Arnold Whittall.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The wealth of analytic insight, into both text and music, belies the book's modest length, and it must surely be recognized as the best English study of Parsifal now available.' Music & Letters

Book Description

A comprehensive account of Parsifal including the literary sources of the work, its links with Wagner's life and thought, the libretto, music and stage history.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (August 31, 1981)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521296625
• ISBN-13: 978-0521296625
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #257,729 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( W ) > Wagner, Richard
  • #15 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Composers > Wagner
  • #51 in Books > Arts & Photography > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Sheet Music & Scores > Forms & Genres > Religious & Church Music

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Scholarly review of Parsifal, July 2, 2000

By 

David Gottner - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Richard Wagner: Parsifal (Cambridge Opera Handbooks) (Paperback)

This is a good book so far as it goes. It's a bit dry, but if you are sufficiently interested in the material than you should be able to get through it OK.

The book is divided into sections about Wagner's source material, a history of Parsifal performances, a musical commentary, a discussion of the critical reactions to Parsifal from Wagner's time to the present, and a proposed interpretation. In the "interpretation" section, the author argues that Parsifal must be interpreted as a religious work.

I was disappoined with the book, because I was expecting a more detailed interpretation (for example, what actually happens in Act II of Parsifal?)

The book is interesting, but was not quite what I was looking for. However, the chapter on Wagner's source material is a necessary prerequisite on forming your own opinion of this work, so those of you still grappling with this opera should consider purchasing this book.

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Down to the point, November 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Richard Wagner: Parsifal (Cambridge Opera Handbooks) (Paperback)

I have found the book highly fascinating. It not only gives you a fair deal on the story itself - additionally it provides a huge amount on background information to Wagner, the history of the play, the story behind the story...

Particularly the parts about the origination of the theme of Parsifal is well researched and worth reading.