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

~ (Author) "Richard Wagner (1813-83) was the most controversial artist who ever lived..." (more)
Key Phrases: thunder motif, first intermission, innocent fool, New York, Das Rheingold, Richard Wagner (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this dumbed-down guide, Berger, a librettist and composer, attempts to make Richard Wagner's (1813-1883) operas accessible to the uninitiated. After a breezy summary of the composer's life, he devotes a chapter to each of his mature works, interspersing plot outlines with chatty commentary. There is a bit of performance history, as well as advice on how to pronounce names, get through the rough spots at the notoriously long performances and when to eat, drink and visit the restroom. He also touches on Wagner's "pseudo-philosophy," especially his anti-Semitism, but like everything else in this disappointing book, it's all oversimplified. There is little discussion of the music and too much cuteness: on Act 3 of Tristan, for example: "These monologues are ballbusters!" and "They're dropping like flies at Castle Kareol!" Some of the sections entitled "Lobby Talk" are thought-provoking?"Nuremberg as City and Concept" (Meistersinger) and the speculation about the power of a person's name (Lohengrin), for example. Chapters on Wagner CDs and the best books to read on the composer and his operas are useful. For the most part, however, Berger underestimates the reader and trivializes the works. Do we really need to be told that Magdalena, Eva's nurse in Meistersinger, is a "female companion," not a "medical attendant" and that The Flying Dutchman is "supposed to be, like, spooky?" It's easy to be facetious about Wagner, but Berger overdoes it. Author tour.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Do you cringe when your opera-loving friends start raving about the latest production of Tristan? Do you feel faint just thinking about the six-hour performance of Parsifal you were given tickets to? Does your mate accuse you of having a Tannhäuser complex? If you're baffled by the behavior of Wagner worshipers, if you've longed to fathom the mysteries of Wagner's ever-increasing popularity, or if you just want to better understand and enjoy the performances you're attending, you'll find this delightful book indispensable.

William Berger is the most helpful guide one could hope to find for navigating the strange and beautiful world of the most controversial artist who ever lived. He tells you all you need to know to become a true Wagnerite--from story lines to historical background; from when to visit the rest room to how to sound smart during intermission; from the Jewish legend that possibly inspired Lohengrin to the tragic death of the first Tristan. Funny, informative, and always a pleasure to read, Wagner Without Fear proves that the art of Wagner can be accessible to everyone.

Includes:
- The strange life of Richard Wagner--German patriot (and exile), friend (and enemy) of Liszt and Nietzsche
- Essential opera lore and "lobby talk"
- A scene-by-scene analysis of each opera
- What to listen for to get the most from the music
- Recommended recordings, films, and sound tracks

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Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Vintage; 1st edition (September 29, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375700544
• ISBN-13: 978-0375700545
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 4.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #320,298 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Book Even if You Know Wagner Well, January 22, 2001

By	Dan Sherman (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lives up to its name, November 15, 2000

By	dcreader (Washington DC area) - See all my reviews

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.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wickedly funny, and extremely useful!, August 20, 1999

By A Customer

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!