A Madman’s Guide to Wagner

I still remember the exact moment in 1981 when my friend Bill planted a seed, wearing a Wagner t-shirt at a party. I knew of Wagner, but as we talked, my interest grew. John Boorman's movie Excalibur came out about that time, too, and cribbed extensively from Wagner.

Later, when Hans-Jurgen Syberberg's...unconventional adaptation of Parsifal hit the local art house, with the set built around a giant copy of Wagner's death mask, I was hooked.

San Francisco Opera's production of Parsifal was my first live opera, followed by an amazing production of Strauss' Elektra, and, finally, The Ring itself.

Bill died of AIDS sometime later. I will always regret not thanking him for the difference he ultimately made in my life, by the simple act of wearing a t-shirt.

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Please, if you can, search YouTube for "Parsifal prelude." I can't guarantee it'll change your life, but you won't be disappointed.