In this classic guide, a leading Wagner expert explores ten of the composer's most cherished operas, revealing their key themes, myths, and literary inspirations. The analysis is celebrated as one of the most comprehensive and intellectually engaging examinations of Wagner's works, appealing to both specialists and casual music fans. For the first time in a single paperback volume, it serves as an ideal companion for experiencing operas like The Flying Dutchman, Tannhäuser, Lohengrin, Tristan and Isolde, Die Meistersinger, the Ring Cycle, and Parsifal. Newman enhances his exploration of the operas' narratives, texts, and music with rich biographical and historical insights drawn from his extensive research, including his notable work, Life of Richard Wagner. The text is replete with hundreds of musical examples, clearly illustrating important leitmotifs and their connections through Newman's accessible prose. As Robert Bailey from New York University notes, this guide offers an exceptional introduction to a major composer's masterpieces, providing clarity and astuteness in outlining each opera's dramatic sources and guiding the reader through the completed works with insightful commentary.
