Wagner and Venice

"The strength of this study is to have assembled a series of works by fourteen -- mostly German-language -- authors, . . . many [of which] have remained outside the reach of mainstream audiences but deserve renewed critical analysis. Succeeds in drawing attention to a vast body of Wagner fiction, in the process correcting some distorted assumptions. . . . Barker probes in nuanced ways [Egon Gunther's] 'postmodern' sensibility. Cosima's character picture itself receives some nuanced reassessment." Rolf J. Goebel, MONATSHEFTE

"As the author of a book on Wagner's death in Venice, John Barker is well poised to survey the many works of fiction on the topic, most of which are unknown to the Wagner community. In the interplay between his analysis and excerpts from the novels, Barker gives loving detail to the divergence from reality in these fictional accounts. The material is fascinating and opens many doors for the musicological community. --Karen Painter, author of Symphonic Aspirations: German Music and Politics, 1900-1945" Karen Painter, author of Symphonic Aspirations: German Music and Politics, 1900-1945

"A huge amount of material not previously available first-hand observations and analyses. The amount of detail here is astonishing. Forty-six black-and-white photos bring people and places to life. . . . A loving tribute to Wagner and Venice." Charles H. Parsons, AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE

"Throughout his book Barker makes effective use of newspaper archives. . . . Barker's 'assimilative source study' has now largely filled the critical gap [regarding the disputed biographical documents collected in 1883 by Henriette Perl]. . . . [The book is marked by] the author's palpable enthusiasm for and knowledge of both Wagner and Venice." David Cormack, MUSICAL TIMES

"It was in Venice that Wagner composed much of the second act of Tristan und Isolde, with its ecstatic love duet, and it was in Venice that he died two and a half decades later. Charting the composer's own love affair with La Serenissima over that period has been the quarter-of-a-century mission of John W. Barker, who sifts the plethora of eye-witness accounts with a forensic skill that brings to light all manner of fascinating documentary detail. A book to be relished by lovers of Wagner, of Venice, or of both." Barry Millington, Author of Wagner, editor of The Wagner Compendium, and coeditor of Selected Letters of Richard Wagner