Stories of the Wagner Opera

Before the curtain rises, know the story. Richard Wagner's operas are monumental undertakings: four-hour odysseys through Germanic myth, medieval legend, and political revolution. They demand preparation. H. A. Guerber's 1895 guide was created for exactly this purpose: to give readers the narrative keys to Wagner's complex musical dramas before entering the opera house or opening a score. Guerber traces the arc of Wagner's greatest works, from the political upheaval of "Rienzi, the Last of the Tribunes" in 14th-century Rome to the mystical redemption of "Parsifal." She illuminates the Ring Cycle's cosmic battle between gods and mortals, the doomed passion of "Tristan and Isolde," the ghostly maritime legend of "The Flying Dutchman," and the swan-knight romance of "Lohengrin." Each opera receives a vivid, faithful retelling that captures its dramatic heart without drowning readers in musical analysis. Whether you are a first-time attendee hoping to follow the plot or a devoted Wagnerian seeking a reliable reference, Guerber's clear prose brings these legendary stories within reach.