Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book should serve as an excellent and very readable guide for most readers who want information about Wagner's life, his operas, the staging of the operas, various recordings of the operas, etc. If it is not a deep book that goes into lots of detail about these topics (nor can it be, given its length) but certainly it provides satisfactory coverage. It is particularly useful in its plot summaries, along with a general discussion of the music of the operas. Although it is written in a very chatty and informal manner, it really covers a lot of ground and gives a reader good leads on how to follow up with additional reading and Cd listening. I don't think it will by itself convert anyone who hates Wagner, but it should help a lot of other people enjoy his operas more. It is a book that is both fun to read but one with a lot of substance too!

It was with some reluctance and trepidation that I approached William Berger's book, "Wagner without Fear." From the title alone, I erroneously thought that this was another of the poorly written books flooding the market that reduce Wagner to generalities, and which ill-serve both newcomers to Wagner's music and seasoned Wagner enthusiasts, like me, who collect multiple recordings of his music and attend every possible performance of the operas. The book, however, is excellent; in fact, I found it one of the most useful and well-written books on Wagner that one could buy. Mr. Berger writes superlative pages on what opera is, and on the background of Wagner's life, with perceptive pages on the composer's time in Munich and Bayreuth. He writes a brilliant and witty summary - the best I have read - on each of the mature operas from "Der fliegende Holländer" to "Parsifal" Mr. Berger provides helpful pronunciation tips, backgrounds and analyses of characters, discussion of motifs, and comments, in italics, after each section of the summary. The book concludes with "Wagner Issues," a particularly useful discussion of Wagner's anti-Semitism, his bizarre beliefs, the Nazi abuse of his music, and various other material that is accurate and fascinating. Having been a pilgrim to Bayreuth, I was interested in what he had to say about the Wagnerian shrine and how to survive in the town during the annual Festspiele. Wagnerians constantly battle about the "best" CD performances of the operas, but it is difficult to find fault with Mr. Berger's recommendations. Finally, he includes a commendable discussion on The Ring Cycle, including engaging information on the problems of staging it. There is a helpful annotated bibliography and a lucid glossary. I have not given the book the rating of Five Stars because there is a bit of rather gratuitous humor sprinkled throughout the book that probably amused Mr. Berger but which becomes a bit annoying. For example, he constantly suggests the times in which to go to the restroom during performances of Wagner's operas. There are also bits of sophomoric humor that will please some readers and irritate others. I highly recommend this book to the beginner as the best book on the market to approach Wagner; and to the experienced Wagnerian for its clear and perceptive insights into the music of a complex composer. Indeed, I am indebted to Mr. Berger for teaching me some things I did not know, and for elucidating some ideas so I could better understand them.

This book was truely needed. I enjoy Wagner, always have, but I know how difficult it is to initially get into his work without fear or prejudice. Berger's book is as entertaining as it is highly informative both for the Wagner novice and the seasoned afficionado. Like any good guide, the different chapters are independent and cross-readable, so you can pick up info on the different aspects of Wasgner and his music without having to go through the book chronologically. Berger has a very witty style and parts of the book are definitely written very tongue-in-cheek, which I personally appreciate. Very humorous for exmaple his observations on the different categories of Wagnerians to be observed attending an opera. Try picking them out during an intermission and you will be impressed with the authors perceptiveness! Beyond that, the book offers good, nuts-and-bolts advice (if there is such a thing in the area of music). Recently we had a staging of Parsifal here in Washington, featuring the great Placido Domingo. Parsifal is Wagner's last and longest opera, considered by many people to be the most complex, slow and boring. After reading Berger's summary and advice on tackling this piece, I had a thoroughly enjoyable time, and five hours melted down to nothing. With his help, we made the right choices about planning our intermission dinner and getting ready for the different aspects of the plot and the music. The book does not cover all of Wagner's work, but the omissions are well-chosen

This book delivers on its promise - it takes the fear out of listening to Wagner. Having used it to prepare for the Washington Opera's Parsifal, I found that the nearly five hour opera (which I had worried would be confusing and hence boring) flew by enjoyably. Esp. interesting is his discussion of the different ways these operas have been staged. Esp. USEFUL is his advice on when to eat, etc. and the other mechanics of actually attending these operas, which are among the longest. The book does not cover ALL of Wagner's operas, but the ones omitted (e.g. Rienzi) are minor and I prefer the book's approach to giving more space to the biggies. I'm sure that some die hard Wagnerians will find this too elementary, but for most of us, it's a great place to start.

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.

In preparing for the Bayreuth Festival, I listened to the operas, reviewed the libretti, and read two books--Spotts' "Bayreuth," and Berger's "Wagner without Fear." Forget the snobbery of elitist Wagnerians--this is a great book. Berger's style is witty and irreverant, making it fun to read.

And it is extremely useful. He delivers an insightful overview and commentary on each opera--then gives tips on how to survive a performance (when to eat, drink, and go to the restroom). This is a life-saver--especially before Act I of Parsifal.

His final chapter covers how to behave at the Bayreuth Festival (hint: you can pass out, but you cannot cough). I left my libretti behind, and took this book with me instead!

American humorist Mark Twain wryly obeserved, "Wagner's operas are not as bad as they sound!" With wit, warmth, expertise and instructions on rest room breaks this book will enterain you! Berger is a musician and linguist who is able to explain the byzantinian plots of Wagnerian opera with simplicyh, conciseness and humor. As an opera fan with a general knowledge of Wagner I found the book useful. Useful because:
1. He has a good plot synopsis of each major Wagner opera
2. He gives a brief but adequate sketch of the life of the titatnic German anti-semtic genius.
3. Berger includes the best books, CD's and videos for the neophyte as well as the experienced fan of a titanic but flawed genius. Relish Berger's witty style as you learn more about a great artist. Highly recommended.

By all accounts Richard Wagner was an antisemtic bigot who practiced the art of adultery, seduction and other nefarious activities in nineteenth century Europe. He was also a musical genius who revolutionized the staid world of opera.
William Berger gives the reader a guide written in a popular, witty yet erudite style which enchants as it enterains.
Berger provides us with plot summaries of the major Wagner operas while adding chapters dealing with everything from a bibliograpy of valuable books on Wagner; a chapter on Wagner on CD's and even when to plan for bathroom breaks during interminable evenings of Wagner watching in the theatre!
I found his description of the ambience at Bayreuth to be a fascinating glimpse of the mecca for all true Wagnerites making the pilgrimage to the shirne of the Master.
This book will be a welcome addition to newcomers to the art of Wagner as well as seasoned operagoers.
I will keep this book on my shelf for easy access while whiling away Saturday afternoons tuned in to the Met or enjoying an evening of Tristan and Isolde on my Bose radio.
Berger is readable and opinionated. This book comes highly recommended by this reviewer.

For those new to the world of Richard Wagner, this book provides a delightful overview. Starting with an introduction to the Wagner phenomenon (in which no one is ambivalent...you either love Wagner or hate him), proceeding through a biographical sketch, then on to studies of the major operas, CD and book recommendations, and much more, this book will serve as an excellent springboard to deeper studies. I would have like to have seen more discussion of leitmotiv, simply because it is so integral to understanding Wagner, but that information is certainly available in more detail elsewhere...particularly on the Cooke CD.

Perhaps the best thing about this book is that it avoids the snobbery that is so often found in Wagner discussions...it even serves as a guide to understanding the different types of Wagner fans and their diverse (to put it mildly) opinions.

This book reveals that Richard Wagner was one of the world's great geniuses, despite his many bizarre and distasteful characteristics...but then again, perhaps it merely confirms the old adage that the line between genius and insanity is precariously thin.

This book is highly recomended.

A very reader-friendly review of Wagner's life and then a serious concentration on all of his operas.