About the Wagner Society

History

The Wagner Society of Northern California is part of a tradition dating back to 1871, when Richard Wagner inspired the founding of the Wagner Vereine in the hope that they would help finance the Bayreuth Festival – the first performance of his magnum opus Der Ring des Nibelungen. The drawing room at Wahnfried, Wagner’s home in Bayreuth, was painted with the coats-of-arms of all the German cities with Wagner Societies.

Today, the WSNC is one of many societies, around the world which provide an opportunity for lovers of Wagner’s music — from the beginner to the hardcore “Ringhead” — to come together to share experiences, to learn, and to help promote the appreciation and performance of Wagner’s works.

The Society is characterized by the warmth and camaraderie which prevail among those sharing a deep common interest. The Society sponsors a variety of public programs and social events, publishes a journal, supports young Wagner artists through a grant program, provides access to tickets to Bayreuth when available, and maintains rewarding relationships with a distinguished group of Honorary Members.

Programs and Events

The Society holds meetings and events approximately monthly. Programs include scholarly lectures, interviews with prominent Wagnerian artists, film showings, recitals, panel discussions, exhibitions, and receptions for visiting performers. The Society has produced two complete operas: a concert performance of Der Fliegende Holländer and a fully-staged Das Rheingold. Each December the Society celebrates the holidays with a gala party named after Wagner’s wife Cosima who was born on Christmas Eve, and each May brings a special birthday event honoring Richard himself.

Here, two of the great Wagnerian singers of our time and Honorary Members of the Society, the late Hans Hotter and the late Jess Thomas, with former WSNC president Verna Parino at a Society reception.

Leitmotive

Leitmotive is the journal of the Wagner Society. It publishes a mix of scholarly essays, historical notes, theoretical debates and philosophical considerations, poetry, and performance, record, video, and book reviews. It is unusual in being open to contributions both from professional scholars and from interested members. New issues are free to current members.

Grant Program

An important activity for the Wagner Society is to support the education and development of young Wagner artists and scholars. In 1985 the Society established the WILLIAM O. CORD MEMORIAL GRANT FUND and created a Grant Committee to solicit and evaluate applications for support. Since then many promising young singers and production artists have been awarded grants, and several have gone on to launch international careers.