My Life

by Richard Wagner

Written for Wagner's second wife, Cosima, and his patron, King Ludwig II, "My Life" runs from the composer's birth in 1813 up to 1864, and presents a sweeping view of Wagner's times and contemporaries, as well as offering a unique perspective on his operas. This is the 1983 translation.

Genres: Music, Biography, Nonfiction, History, German Literature, Memoir

811 pages, Paperback

Published August 21, 1992

About the author

Germanic legends often based romantic operas of especially known composer Richard Wagner, who worked Tannhäuser (1845) and the tetralogy Der Ring des Nibelungen (1853-1876).

From 1872, Richard Wagner lived at Bayreuth to 1883 and designed the opera house, used chiefly for performances of his works.

Works of Jacques Martin Barzun include Darwin, Marx, Wagner (1941).

Wilhelm Richard Wagner conducted, directed theater, and authored essays, primarily for his later called "music dramas." Unlike most other greats, Wagner wrote the scenario and libretto.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard...

Reviews

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I would skim this book for relevant stories, but from the start I was swept into Wagner's story and shared his struggle for acceptance and financial stability. What a fascinating guy. I listened to the operas as he wrote about them, but he could write about them faster than I could listen. Fabulous music!!

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Wagnerians like myself only.

Although this is a fascinating read, you really have to be a lover of Wagner's music to appreciate this.

Moreover it's such a pity that his autobiography ends before his real breakthrough (thanks to King Ludwig II) started.

You have to admire all the adventures (his escape from Riga!) this genius lived, all for the sake of his art (and the fact that he was convinced he was a genius).

[Anna Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting autobiography. I have learned the image Wagner wanted to project from this writing which is unfavourably in contrast to the biographical, factual writings which also exist from the time. Wagners character is certainly hard to like but so fascinating in tandem with his composing.

There is a sense of fear pervading his life which I find revealing from the point of view of the male female dynamic. Wagner spent almost his whole adult life relying on the women in his life to support him practically, financially and emotionally. The relationships of men and women in his operas reflect the idealisation of women as holding power whilst being in thrall to love. Helplessness is a theme he uses to excuse his failings, even when he actually held great power at times. He appeared to have a problem with authority of any kind which may have been due to his fatherless state.

So much of Wagners unpalatable loyalty to the antisemitic politics and personal views of his contemporaries are relatable to the rise of the far right today. Wagner's personal politics were naive and selfish. In his operas he expressed the idea of selflessness through the deaths of many of his heroes. The fall of the gods may have been a clear, honest vision of the corruption power spawns. In this diary Wagner seemed to understand this without particularly applying it to his own life.

[Bruce Bean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wagner My Life Richard Wagner

This book, like Teddy Roosevelt’s Autobiography, has much too much meaningless detail. So much so that never got to the end, and I am a big fan!

[Jesús Cardeña Morales · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quise leer la biografía de Wagner porque me interesó sobre todo su tetralogía sobre "El Anillo de los Nibelungos", pero he terminado el libro y no aparece gran cosa de esta ópera suya.
Aparte de que el libro no narra la vida de Wagner al completo, ya que se corta en lo que a mí me interesaba más, esto es, el mecenazgo de Luis II de Baviera, donde tienen lugar sus óperas y obras más importantes.
Se me ha hecho muy largo en algunos momentos (es muy raro que un libro me dure más de un mes, pero con este me he tirado dos meses), y es que la letra es pequeñísima y me cansaba mucho la vista, con lo que no podía leer más de diez páginas en un día.

[Ron Schaffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A peek into the life of the legend himself. Very revealing from the historical perspective, as well as a great look into the mind of, arguably, the greatest composer of all time. I found it interesting that he gained much of his inspiration while walking through the Alps. Also, he struggled financially throughout most of his life. Long story short, it's a must read.

[Gazmend Ceno · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be republished often, and be available at all times at B&N. Enough said...