Dieter Borchmeyer Book order

Richard Wagner remains one of history's most controversial artists, sparking ongoing debates about his works and their implications. This book offers the first comprehensive modern account of Wagner's musical dramas, exploring them through the lenses of literary and theatrical history. It spans from his early, often overlooked compositions to the renowned Ring Cycle and Parsifal, including unfinished works and operas he never completed. Through engaging prose, the author presents Wagner not just as a composer but as a librettist and man of letters, revealing a rich tapestry of cultural and historical references in his works. The first section delves into archetypal scenes, providing insight into Wagner's dramatic processes across all his operas. The second part connects Wagner to significant political figures like King Ludwig II and Bismarck, while also addressing critical perspectives from literary giants such as Thomas Mann and Nietzsche. Mann is highlighted as a guiding figure in understanding Wagner's influence, while Nietzsche’s focus on philology serves as a critical lens for interpreting Wagner's legacy. With over twenty years of scholarship dedicated to the Bayreuth Festival, the author presents a culmination of his extensive engagement with Wagner, reflecting a deep critical passion for the composer's oeuvre.

Richard Wagner is regarded as the quintessential artist of the nineteenth century, with his work encompassing various art forms of the era. Dieter Borchmeyer presents a systematic and comprehensive account of Wagner's aesthetic theory, focusing on his often-overlooked prose writings and ideas on music drama through the lenses of literature, idea connections, and art sociology. The significance of classical Greek art and mythology in Wagner's work is highlighted, alongside detailed examinations of his connections to major figures and forms in world theatre, including Shakespeare, commedia dell'arte, popular theatre, and puppet theatre. The influence of the historical and social novel on Wagner is also explored. Additionally, the author offers a thorough analysis of Cosima Wagner's Diaries and sheds new light on Wagner's relationship with Nietzsche, particularly regarding Nietzsche's The Birth of Tragedy. Central to this study are Wagner's music dramas, from Die Feen to Parsifal, analyzed within their literary, ideological, and socio-political contexts, including the issue of anti-Semitism. Originally published in German in 1982, this work has become a standard reference in Wagner scholarship and is now available in English for the first time, featuring a revised edition with new chapters on the music dramas.