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

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!

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.

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.

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!