The Cambridge Wagner Encyclopedia

A comprehensive reference on a controversial cultural icon

Nicholas Vazsonyi editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:14th Nov '19

Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back

The Cambridge Wagner Encyclopedia cover

This encyclopedia offers a thorough exploration of Richard Wagner's life, work, and cultural significance, making it essential for both enthusiasts and scholars.

Aimed at a broad audience, The Cambridge Wagner Encyclopedia serves as an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the life and legacy of Richard Wagner. From amateurs to seasoned scholars, this comprehensive encyclopedia addresses virtually every aspect of Wagner's career and cultural impact. With contributions from over eighty esteemed international scholars across various disciplines, the entries delve into the multifaceted nature of Wagner's work and the controversies surrounding him.

Richard Wagner is recognized as one of the most influential figures in Western cultural history, having transformed not just opera but the very essence of art itself. His revolutionary ideas and compositions have left an indelible mark on the cultural and political landscapes of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The encyclopedia features vividly-written entries on a wide range of topics, from 'absolute music' to 'Zurich,' and includes notable figures such as 'Theodor Adorno' and 'Hermann Zumpe.' Each entry offers unique insights into Wagner's life and his enduring influence.

Additionally, The Cambridge Wagner Encyclopedia includes multiple appendices that provide listings of Wagner's works, historic productions, recordings, and addresses where he lived. This makes it an essential and reliable resource for both enthusiasts and academics alike. As the only encyclopedia dedicated to Richard Wagner, it stands as a comprehensive reference work that enriches our understanding of this complex artist and his contributions to the world of music and beyond.

'Of course, what you want to know is 'should I buy this book?' My instant reply is that if you have more than a passing interest in Wagner … [then] buy this marvellous, unique work, filled with insights … it would be impossible to believe this book should not find its way into the libraries of any English speaking school, college or university. And any undergraduate or graduate student composing a dissertation or thesis around Wagner would make a serious error to not refer to it - either for its clear exploration of ideas or as a source for further reading … this is not only perhaps the best we could have asked for but the best that we can, or should expect to receive for a very long time - if ever.' The Wagnerian (the-wagnerian.com)
'This is very much the academic's Wagner, pinned out dry on the dissection table … [an] impressive and information-packed volume.' Michael Scott Rohan, BBC Music Magazine
'If your shelves [are] already groaning under books about Wagner, I'm sorry to have to tell you there is another one which demands pride of place … it is a testament to Nicholas Vazsonyi's dedication that there is not an iota of the composer's life and achievement which is not addressed in the … pages of this compendious volume. The pleasures of the book are many …' Barry Forshaw, Classical CD Choice
'This is a book to keep to hand for its astonishing richness. In a word: essential.' Classical Music
'… [a] remarkably encyclopaedic volume … buy this book …' The Wagner Journal

ISBN: 9781108795913

Dimensions: 150mm x 230mm x 50mm

Weight: 1280g

899 pages