from many sources... fitted together so that they can be read as continuous
systematic exposition.” The concept is reasonably well implemented, but the
effort is diminished by the paucity of notes and lack of an index.- Hürlimann, Martin. Richard Wagner in Selbstzeugnissen und im Urteil der
Zeitgenossen.Zurich: Manesse, 1972. 412p. ML410 .W2 H89.
Offers Wagner’s opinions and recollections of events in contrast with views by
contemporary critics and musicians (Schumann, Berlioz, Hanslick, etc.), as
well as observations by Minna and Mathilde. Weak bibliography; name and
title index. - Glass, Frank W. The Fertilizing Seed: Wagner’s Concept of the Poetic Intent.
Studies in Musicology, 63. Ann Arbor, Mich.: UMI Research, 1983. xi, 320p.
ISBN 0-8357-1396-2. ML410 .W29 G54.
Glass provides a service by distinguishing between Wagner’s early (in Oper
und Drama) and later views. His ideas did change: “In later writings, music
and gesture seem to receive more emphasis than formerly; poetry less.” But the
fundamental idea of Oper und Dramawas constant: “that poetic intent incites
the musical response and calls it forth as drama.” Backnotes, bibliography of
about 100 items, expansive index of names, titles, subjects. - Borchmeyer, Dieter. Richard Wagner: Theory and Theatre.Trans. Stewart
Spencer. New York: Oxford U.P., 1991. xx, 423p. ISBN 0-19-315322-X.
ML410 .W2 B62.
Originally Das Theater Richard Wagners(Stuttgart: Reclam, 1982). The com-
poser’s views on artist and audience, opera in the context of Nietzsche’s Birth
of Tragedyand other philosophical writings, and dramaturgy (the ideas set
against actual practice in the operas). Borchmeyer minimizes Wagner’s less
attractive concepts, such as his anti-Semitism. Bibliography of about 100
entries and expansive index. - Rather, L. J. Reading Wagner: A Study in the History of Ideas.Baton Rouge:
Louisiana State U.P., 1990. xii, 349p. ISBN 0-8071-1557-6. ML410 .W29
R23.
An interesting account of Wagner’s thinking on various issues and its connec-
tions to ideas of the times. Descriptions of his library and reading habits; his
poetry (considered better than most people believe); his views on animals,
Christianity, Jews, love, and women. Social relationships were central in his
thoughts and appear to have been expressed musically through tonal associa-
tions. The Oedipus and Ring myths are analyzed and found to have “close
structural relationships.” Bibliography of about 350 items, expansive index. - Grey, Thomas S. Wagner’s Musical Prose: Texts and Contexts.New York:
Cambridge U.P., 1995. xix, 397p. ISBN 0-521-41738-4. ML410 .W29 G84.
An important, complex approach to many themes: Wagner and absolute
music, gender issues, form in the operas, the endless melody, the leitmotiv,
delirium and death, denouements, etc. Bibliography, index.
370 Opera