William Berger – "Racism and Systemic Hate in the Arts: Problems and Solutions from Wagner"

HERE IS THE LINK TO THE ARCHIVAL RECORDING OF THIS EVENT: https://youtu.be/cybjwIUbgt0

For Saturday November 13th the WSNC is delighted to let you know that we have organized a live meeting in San Francisco at the JCC-SF. We welcome a WSNC favorite, William Berger, author, broadcaster and feature presenter for the Metropolitan Opera.

Last March, William Berger led a webinar for SF Opera titled “Confronting Controversy in Wagner”, focusing on The Ring of the Nibelung. He has since been expanding this inquiry, both deeper into Wagner specifically (Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg) and into all the arts and beyond. Instead of merely “blaming” Wagner for the problems in art, and shaming fans of these works, the goal is to confront the problems, find equally potent solutions within the same art (because they are there), and use our experience as Wagner fans to provide ideas for everyone as we rebuild our artistic culture in today’s post-COVID world.

William Berger has been touring the country ostensibly to promote his new books (“Speaking of Wagner: Talking to Audiences About The Ring of the Nibelung” and “Seeking the Sublime Cache: Opera Articles Written and Selected by William Berger”) but, actually, to listen to people’s concerns and ideas about this pivotal moment in cultural history – what he calls a “1918 moment that changes everything.” He has conversed with such vocal luminaries as Jamie Barton (Chicago) and Morris Robinson (Los Angeles), and will conclude this tour in San Francisco to share these ideas as they have evolved through recent, all-too-interesting times.

This meeting will come with restrictions due to the San Francisco City and County protocols. As it stands right now we are only permitted to admit fully vaccinated, dues-paid WSNC Members (sorry, no guests or plus ones), everyone must be masked (mouth and nose covered at all times when within the building) and no eating will be permitted in the room. The meeting size is restricted to 50 members.