The Complete Operas Of Richard Wagner (The Complete Opera Series)

"Wagner's operas can be counted among the most important works of art of the nineteenth century. But Wagner was a composer around whom violent artistic, political, and literary controversies raged duri"

Library Journal

Opera critic and historian Osborne closes his quintet of opera guides, which include previous titles devoted to Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, and Richard Strauss, with this volume. Osborne's previous Wagner studies include The World Theatre of Wagner ( LJ 12/1/82), a pictorial work that concentrates on actual productions. This time, biography--often in Wagner's own words--combined with criticism by Wagner's contemporaries, literary background, Wagner's librettos, plot summaries, descriptions of musical elements illustrated with musical examples, and Osborne's own insights form a clear picture of Wagner, his world, and the operas. Wagner's strengths and weaknesses are fully explored so as to inspire the serious reader to explore further. Though much has been written on Wagner, libraries with collections on opera will find this an essential purchase.-- James E. Ross, Seattle P.L.