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Wagner Without Fear: Learning to Love--and Even Enjoy--Opera's Most Demanding Genius | 
 enlarge | Author: William Berger
Publisher: Vintage
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
Buy Used: $3.95
You Save: $12.00 (75%)
New (18) Used (23) Collectible (1) from $3.95
Avg. Customer Rating:  16 reviews
Sales Rank: 462958
Media: Paperback
Edition: 1st
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 464
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8 x 4.9 x 1
ISBN: 0375700544
Dewey Decimal Number: 782.1092
EAN: 9780375700545
ASIN: 0375700544
Publication Date: September 29, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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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 Tannhaeuser 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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| Customer Reviews: Read 11 more reviews...
 Once Afraid of Wagner August 3, 2008
I have to admit that I was once afraid of Wagner. For years, I listened to Italian and French opera and loved much of it. However, I just stayed away from Wagner. Recently, I heard Mr. Berger being interviewed about Wagner on NPR. I was immediately taken by his humor, his vast knowledge of the composer's life and his work. So, based on that interview and the reviews on this website, I purchased this book. I can actually say that I no longer fear Wagner. I bought my very first Wagner operas - the entire Ring cycle - and I have enjoyed them more that I could ever imagined. And I can thank Mr. Berger for that. His book on Wagner is easy to read and makes listening to the operas an absolute pleasure. So, have no fear, get this book! Although I already love Verdi and Puccini, I have already ordered Mr. Berger's books on those two great Italian opera composers. Well done, Mr. Berger!
Great Overview March 18, 2006
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A very reader-friendly review of Wagner's life and then a serious concentration on all of his operas.
Excellent resource for all opera fans. February 4, 2006
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
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.
Come on...loosen your collars scholars. This book is good. May 17, 2005
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
I am a young music student and I checked this book out to introduce myself to Wagner's operas. I think this book is fantastic. I also think it is a bit unfair that people nag the book for not being academic enough, for trivializing the meaning of the opers, etc. etc. It seems to me the book only attempts to be an INTRODUCTION to Wagner's operas, and in that sense, he does a great job. The list of reccommending reading tells me that this is meant only as a welcome mat and a vast amount of more serious literature awaits anyone who wishes to dive further into the subject. It is the same sort of Scholarly Elitism you get from people who condemn this book that keeps the classics away from my generation and keeps it in the concert hall for a concert going audience that will soon be gone. Unless people quit condemning this sort of literature which makes these great dramas accessible to new listeners, you can kiss Wagner goodbye in 20 years. Maybe less.
Oh, and Wagner was not just an anarchist, blah blah...he was a horrible anti-semite...more so than the "common sentiment of his day". I saw Gottfried Wagner give a lecture and I think he threw a number out that said Wagner wrote over 1800 pages of anti-semetic sentiments. That seems a bit more than a common sentiment. "All Jews should be burned at a performance of Nathan the Wise." - Richard Wagner.
-- Kyle M. Terrizzi --
 bad suggestion for wagner fans July 15, 2003
2 out of 14 found this review helpful
this book is a poor reccomendation for those who appreciate wagner's music.
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