tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245314665139759027.post6355306927533714199..comments2024-01-04T13:56:52.127-05:00Comments on Regie, or Not Regie?: Academic Interest – Textbooks vs. Readable BooksRobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16322512607114908183noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245314665139759027.post-8686090590661488142012-11-04T00:16:22.519-04:002012-11-04T00:16:22.519-04:00Thanks David, someone else recommended the Newman ...Thanks David, someone else recommended the Newman book. I will check on those others as well. I am reading a book called The Wagner Clan, by... well I am too comfortable to go look it up. But it's pretty good. That Spots book sounds fascinating!Robhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16322512607114908183noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3245314665139759027.post-62979694676485613802012-11-03T19:26:55.307-04:002012-11-03T19:26:55.307-04:00One of the best books on the major cononical Wagne...One of the best books on the major cononical Wagner operas is Newman's Wagner Nights. I seem to recollect that it was titled differently in the UK. I can't rightly remember. At any rate each opera is given the basic synopsis but Newman does go into detail as regards the source material, historical backgroung, etc. Of course it was written some time ago and there are doubtless newer books that may (or may not) cover the same material. I foolishly gave my copy away. <br /><br />While on the subject of Wagner let me recommend two fairly recent books on related subjects. The bio of Winifred is fascinating. She was a complex woman as well as being a very foolish one as well. Wieland is not quite the "pure" German even though he was chosen to run Bayreuth over Wiinifred whose relation with Hitler condemned her from such a position. The other is a biography of Cosima. Another complex woman as well as being an infuriating one as well. Both are highly readable and should be available at your library. Possibly they have been released in soft cover by now. <br /><br />On another related subject is Spots' book on Bayreuth, its history and some detail about all the productions up to the Kupfer Ring. David Dollingernoreply@blogger.com