The Story

This isn't a normal biography that just goes from birth to death. Ernest Newman takes a different approach. He builds a portrait of Richard Wagner by looking at the two halves of his life that always seemed at war: the artist and the man. We see Wagner the Man—constantly in debt, burning through friendships, entangled in dramatic love affairs, and holding some pretty awful political views. Then we see Wagner the Artist—the visionary who spent decades building a festival for his music, who composed some of the most ambitious and moving works ever written.

Why You Should Read It

Newman doesn't let Wagner off the hook for his bad behavior, but he also doesn't dismiss the art because of it. That's what makes this book so compelling. It sits in that uncomfortable space and asks a tough question: can terrible people make great art? Reading it, you get a real sense of how Wagner's personal struggles, his giant ambitions, and even his flaws were directly channeled into the operas. The music didn't come from a vacuum; it came from a very real, very flawed human. It makes you think about all creative people in a new way.

Final Verdict

Perfect for classical music fans who want to understand the drama behind the drama, or for anyone who's ever been curious about the messy link between genius and personality. It's a deep book, but Newman writes with such clarity and curiosity that it never feels like homework. You come away feeling like you've had a long, fascinating conversation about a truly unforgettable character.