Richard Wagner: Parsifal

Cambridge Opera Handbooks

by Lucy Beckett

In this book Lucy Beckett gives a comprehensive account of Wagner's last and strangest opera. The literary sources of this work, its many links with Wagner's life and thought, its libretto, music and stage history, are all thoroughly examined. There is a full commentary, with extensive quotation, on the work's critical history, and finally, a fresh assessment of its place in the Wagner canon and of its unique quality as a music drama that is both modern and Christian. Full references, a bibliography and a discography are provided. A special chapter of musical analysis is contributed by Arnold Whittall.

Genres: Music

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Fred Kohn]

This is a sweet little book that I wouldn't mind having in my personal library. As an old music major, I would have liked for the chapter analyzing the music to have been longer and have more musical examples, but certainly I can't complain about that too much in a book of this size. A bigger complaint is the tiny font sizes used (the quotes are even tinier than the main text) which made this book way longer for me to get through than it should have, seeing as I had to put it down every 10 minutes or so and give my eyes a break.

[Murray]

It includes a discussion of Wagner's sources, the synopsis, the music, performance history, and criticism. A nice introduction to understanding (if that is possible) this amazing opera.