Strauss’s collaboration with the poet and dramatist Hugo von Hofmannsthal on Elektra (1909) spawned a creative relationship that swiftly moved in new stylistic directions with Der Rosenkavalier (1911) and Ariadne… Continue reading Strauss’s Evolving Relationship with Wagner’s Creative Legacy

In this Zoom Webinar we will get to know heldentenor Clay Hilley. Praised in The New York Times for his “vocal heft, clarion sound and stamina,” by de Volkskrant for… Continue reading Heldentenor Clay Hilley, in conversation

SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY EVENT WSNC members were bowled over by our most recent webinar with Professor Larry Wolff. There is an opportunity to hear Professor Wolff speak in person!… Continue reading The Shadow of the Empress – A talk by Professor Larry Wolff

Join the Wagner Society of Northern California in celebration of Richard Wagner’s Birthday. We are gathering immediately following the West Bay Opera performance of Flying Dutchman on Sunday May 28th… Continue reading Richard Wagner Birthday Reception

FREE – Flying Dutchman Preview with Piano Thursday, May 18, 2023 – 7:00 p.m. Holt Building 221 Lambert Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94306

ZOOM WEBINAR Video of the program: https://vimeo.com/824364836?share=copy As the Bay Area braces for the San Francisco Opera’s production of Strauss’ opera Die Frau Ohne Schatten, The Wagner Society welcomes renown… Continue reading Author Larry Wolff – In The Shadow of the Empress

Opera Santa Barbara closes its 2022-2023 season with “The Valkyrie” (“Die Walküre”) on April 23, 2023, at the Lobero Theater. The opera from Wagner’s epic Saga, “The Ring of the… Continue reading Abridged Walküre in Santa Barbara – One Performance

A Wagner Society of Northern California Webinar here is the link to view the webinar: https://vimeo.com/816593057 A native of Mexico, Ragnar Conde is one of the most important Mexican opera… Continue reading Webinar: A Preview of West Bay Opera Flying Dutchman with Ragnar Conde

We are very sorry that the video of this lecture wasn’t up to our usual standard. https://vimeo.com/813912539 San Francisco has had a love affair with opera for more than 168… Continue reading 100 Years at the San Francisco Opera

What is it about power? It fascinates, it terrifies. Tyrants cling to it. Inevitably they fall, and often their world collapses around them. That is the stuff of theater and… Continue reading Wotan and Prospero – The Price of Power

January 14, 2023 Zoom Webinar Vimeo Link for this program: https://vimeo.com/789555850 Richard Wagner was regarded as one of the leading orchestral conductors of his day, even among those such as… Continue reading Wagner the Conductor – With Professor Chris Walton

The Wagner Society gathered at the beautiful Marine’s Memorial Club and Hotel, Crystal Ballroom for our year-end champagne celebration. Our musical guests were mezzo soprano Kindra Scharich and her piano… Continue reading 2022 Cosima Wagner Birthday Celebration

Our final Member program for 2022 will be held at the JCC-SF on Saturday November 12 at 1:00 p.m. Our guest is Professor Scott Foglesong who will present: “LvanB”! Scott… Continue reading LvanB – A heartfelt tribute to Ludwig van Beethoven

Our guest is Professor Scott Foglesong who will present: “LvanB”! Scott describes this talk as “A heartfelt tribute to Ludwig van Beethoven, he who gave us Kunst with a capital… Continue reading "LvanB" with Professor Scott Foglesong

Emma Popek, PhD, a member of the WSNC, will conduct this fascinating presentation on the eternally unresolved topic–who is the true hero of the Ring of the Nibelung–based on her… Continue reading Who is the true hero of the Ring-A Case for Siegmund

The Wagner Society of Northern California is delighted to present a screening of this new documentary “Global Wagner, From Bayreuth to the World” by Axel Brüggemann. In this film Brüggemann… Continue reading Global Wagner – From Bayreuth to the World

This webinar is available now on Vimeo using this link:https://vimeo.com/730883798 The leitmotivs (“signature tunes”) in The Ring are an endless source of fascination. San Francisco Opera’s Dramaturg Emeritus Kip Cranna… Continue reading Spotlight on Leitmotives -Another Look At Wagner's Ring with Kip Cranna

Vimeo Link: https://vimeo.com/723112010 During Kirsten Flagstad’s career she enchanted millions of people, and today her recordings are a touchstone that prove truly great singing can convey astounding depths of emotion… Continue reading Webinar with Paul Thomason – The Metropolitan Opera Career of Kirsten Flagstad

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT IS CLOSED. See you at the next meeting or at the Cosima Party in December

In this live presentation, Maestro Jonathan Khuner introduced the members to Das Liebesverbot, a rarely performed Wagner Opera. At this meeting Khuner described the Pocket Opera Production, provided background about… Continue reading Das Liebesverbot – Pocket Opera’s No Love Allowed with Jonathan Khuner

Come with us as we visit with Udo Steingraber, General Manager of the Steingraber Piano Manufacturer and Museum. The Steingraber Family has provided fine pianos to many of the greatest… Continue reading A Visit to the Steingraber Piano Factory – Bayreuth Germany

In 2021 the Wagner Society was very delighted to provide a Bayreuth Stipendiat Scholarship to former Adler Fellow Cesar Cañon. Cañon graciously joined us from Oslo, Norway and shared with… Continue reading The Bayreuth Stipendiat experience with Cesar Cañon

Vimeo Link: https://vimeo.com/666545187 Saturday January 15th at 1:00 Pacific Time with Jeffrey Buller and his presentation Götterdämmerung: To End at the Beginning. This will be a Zoom Webinar. Götterdämmerung has,… Continue reading Götterdämmerung: To End at the Beginning, with Jeffrey Buller, a Zoom Presentation

Vimeo Link: :https://vimeo.com/659127098 We will close out the year in style with the traditional Holiday Celebration – The Cosima Wagner Birthday/Holiday Celebration. We will meet for a fabulous luncheon, music,… Continue reading Cosima Wagner Holiday Celebration

Vimeo Link for this program: https://vimeo.com/659118583 For Saturday November 13th the WSNC is delighted to let you know that we have organized a live meeting in San Francisco at the… Continue reading William Berger – "Racism and Systemic Hate in the Arts: Problems and Solutions from Wagner"

Vimeo Link: https://vimeo.com/635540058 A WSNC Zoom Webinar with Yale Professor Dr. Gundula Kreuzer. Professor Kreuzer recently published a book entitled “Curtain, Gong, Steam: Wagnerian Technologies of the 19th Century”. In… Continue reading “Flat Bayreuth: Multimedial Challenges in Wagner’s 1876 Ring Production”

Vimeo Link: https://vimeo.com/610791477 Join the Wagner Society as we welcome internationally renowned opera director Paul Curran as our guest. This will be in standard Zoom format and we will have… Continue reading Zoom Meeting – In Conversation with Opera Director Paul Curran

Vimeo Link: https://vimeo.com/575474937 One of WSNC’s favorite Brünnhildes is the soprano Jane Eaglen. Dramatic soprano Jane Eaglen joined New England Conservatory’s voice studio faculty beginning with the 2013–2014 academic year.… Continue reading Jane Eaglen – In Conversation

Videos of the Vegas City Ring are available on YouTube: Das Rheingold: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAYmzxgwDuo Die Walkure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXVilftD1hc Siegfried: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEmQs2AE6_4 Gotterdammerung: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukezj9Aj6k0 Imagine each of the four Ring operas condensed into the… Continue reading Maestro Dennis Doubin Presents: Wagner "Vegas" Style

Vimeo of this event: https://vimeo.com/558650985 Join us for a virtual celebration of Richard Wagner’s Birthday with a MAIFEST. Following in the spirit of the successful virtual Cosima Party, The Wagner… Continue reading Maifest – A Birthday Celebration for Richard Wagner

Vimeo Link for this event: https://vimeo.com/548030078 In 1902 Dornröschen was Humperdinck’s 3rd opera. Following his very successful Hänsel und Gretel, Dornröschen (Sleeping Beauty) is another opera based on a popular… Continue reading Humperdinck's Dornröschen – Webinar

Vimeo Link for this program: https://vimeo.com/666545187 PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF DATE! Due to the presentation of the San Francisco Opera Ring on Saturdays, our webinar has been moved to Sunday… Continue reading Sleep in the Ring: a study of how and why Wagner uses the image of sleep

Vimeo Link for this webinar: https://vimeo.com/515074209 The Wagner Society is excited to announce the rescheduling of a webinar by Professor Katherine Syer. “Anniversary Thoughts: Wagner’s ‘Beethoven’ Essay of 1870.” In… Continue reading WEBINAR: Anniversary Thoughts: Wagner's 'Beethoven' Essay of 1870

Vimeo Link for this webinar: https://vimeo.com/506922829 Join the Wagner Society of Northern California for what should prove to be a very engaging discussion of Wagnerism: Art and Politics in the… Continue reading Wagnerism – A Conversation with Alex Ross and Joshua Kosman

We are ending the year in traditional Wagner Society fashion under anything but typical circumstances. We are unable to don our holiday finery, gather together, sip champagne, dine and enjoy… Continue reading WSNC—Cosima Liszt Zoom Virtual Birthday Gala

Vimeo Link for this webinar: https://vimeo.com/471977085 The WSNC Webinar Series continues with Simon Williams presenting his talk Wagner from Middle Ages to Modernity  REGISTRATION FORM IS BELOW In this webinar… Continue reading WEBINAR: Wagner From Middle Ages to Modernity

Posted August 2, 2020 WEBINAR The Wagner Society webinar series continues as the Society welcomes back Maestro Jonathan Khuner. Maestro Khuner will talk about Wagner’s early opera Das Liebesverbot which… Continue reading WEBINAR: Das Liebesverbot (No Love Allowed) with Jonathan Khuner

Posted August 2, 2020   The WSNC Webinar Series continues with an interview with Maestro Nicholas Braithwaite. London-born Maestro Nicholas Braithwaite will be interviewed by WSNC President Terri Stuart –… Continue reading WEBINAR: Interview with Maestro Nicholas Braithwaite

WEBINAR POSTPONED – “Anniversary Thoughts: Wagner’s ‘Beethoven’ Essay of 1870.”    The Wagner Society of Northern California will welcomes Professor Katherine Syer to our webinar series at a later date.… Continue reading POSTPONED! Anniversary Thoughts: Wagner's 'Beethoven' Essay of 1870

WEBINAR: “Wagner in a Time of Political Stress” – What can we as Wagnerians learn from current events and what can our world and era learn from our experience as… Continue reading Wagner in a Time of Political Stress – With William Berger

June 27, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time – The Wagner Dynasty and Changing Philosophies at Bayreuth – A Webinar The Wagner Society is happy to have rescheduled Desirée… Continue reading The Wagner Dynasty & Changing Philosophies at Bayreuth – Webinar

WEBINAR!  Join the Wagner Society of Northern California June 6th at 1:00 Pacific Daylight Time as Professor Scott Foglesong will recount Richard and Minna Wagner’s harrowing flight from Riga.  This… Continue reading Flying Dutchman Webinar

Saturday April 4, the Wagner Society welcomes Jonathan Khuner for a presentation to acquaint us with Wagner’s rarely performed opera Das LIebesverbot (No Love Allowed) based on William Shakespeare’s play… Continue reading Das Liebesverbot (No Love Allowed)

Our March guest is Desiree Mays and she will present an objective look at the Wagner family since Wagner’s death in 1883, 136 years ago.  Mays will draw from original… Continue reading The Wagner Dynasty and Changing Philosophies at Bayreuth

Dramaturg Emeritus of the San Francisco Opera and Musicologist, Kip Cranna, will present a talk Wagner In His Youth:  How Beethoven and Bellini Won His Heart. The Young Richard Wagner… Continue reading Wagner in his Youth: How Beethoven and Bellini won his heart

The Deadline has passed and Registration closed on November 27th.

November 2, 2019 1:00 p.m. JCC-SF 3200 California Street, San Francisco, CA The French Wagnerians Dr. Simon Williams, Professor Emeritus Dept. of Drama and Dance, University of California Santa Barbara… Continue reading The French Wagnerians

What do Hansel and Gretel have to do with Siegmund and Sieglinde?  Saturday, October 19, at 1:00 p.m. at the JCC-SF in San Francisco. Our guest is WSNC member Brad… Continue reading What to Hansel and Gretel have to do with Siegmund and Sieglinde?

Saturday September 28, 2019 1:00 p.m.   JCC-SF 3200 California Street, San Francisco, CA The Wagner Society of Northern California is proud to welcome returning guest speaker Dr. John Mastrogiovanni, Chairman… Continue reading Parsifal, a true religious opera?

Saturday July 27, 2019 1:00 p.m. JCC-SF 3200 California Street, San Francisco, CA For this meeting we will screen two films: Parsifal, Indiana Jones and Richard Wagner (2004) and Parsifal… Continue reading Parsifal – Two Films

The Wagner Society of Northern California is pleased to welcome back Metropolitan Opera Radio Broadcaster Will Berger. Berger will talk about a topic he has been researching: how technology affects… Continue reading Will Berger – Technology, Opera and Wagner

SAVE THE DATE! The Wagner Society of Northern California is pleased to announce that we will hold the Annual Richard Wagner Birthday Celebration on Saturday May 25th at St. Mark’s… Continue reading 2019 Richard Wagner Birthday Party

Parsifalmania: The early history of Wagner’s final opera in America April 6, 2019  1:00 p.m. JCC-SF 3200 California Street, San Francisco, CA By Jeffery S. McMillan Richard Wagner’s Parsifal was intended… Continue reading Parsifalmania: The early history of Wagner’s final opera in America

March 23, 2019 1:00 p.m.  Filmmakers Thomas Voigt and Wolfgang Wunderlich have created this fascinating documentary about the magnificent Birgit Nilsson. This documentary includes highlights from performances, concerts, talk shows… Continue reading Birgit Nilsson – A League of Her Own

Saturday February 9, 2019 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm JCC-SF – 3200 California Street San Francisco, CA Free to WSNC Members, suggested donation of $10 for guests The Wagner Society… Continue reading Jasmin Solfaghari – Director, Odense Denmark Ring

Saturday January 19th, 2019 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. JCC-SF 3200 California Street San Francisco, CA 2nd Floor Gallanter Hall The Wagner Society of Northern California is pleased to welcome scholar… Continue reading "But of course, the real villain is Wagner! – or, Wagner in the novels of E.M. Forster"

The Society is delighted to complete our year with the Cosima Birthday Party Our musical guests are: Marina Harris, soprano  Marina Harris was a San Francisco Opera Merola Participant and… Continue reading Cosima Holiday Champagne Brunch

Professor Thomas Grey, Stanford University– Wagner’s theories of “Gesamtkunstwerk” vs. his own practices Professor Grey will speak about Wagner’s concept of the total work of art as it relates to… Continue reading Wagner's theories of "Gesamtkunstwerk" vs. his own practices

This biography of Mathilde Wesendonck is the untold and fascinating story of this woman’s inspiring influence on the major works of Richard Wagner, based on facts related in their correspondence… Continue reading Isolde's Dream – A Biography of Mathilde Wesendonck

Join the Society in celebrating two Golden Age Godesses of the Wagnerian repertory. We will screen two documentary films and get a closer look at their careers. We will screen… Continue reading Centennial Celebration of Birgit NIlsson and Astrid Varnay

  Featured Speakers: Speight Jenkins Dr. John Mastrogiovanni Jonathan Khuner     Speight Jenkins Title: “Creating A Ring” During his tenure at Seattle Opera, Speight Jenkins put together “from scratch”… Continue reading Ring Forum – Ring Cycle #3

Happy to say we are SOLD OUT!  Call for wait list information (925) 285-3690   We are proud to offer a special event for the 2018 Ring Festival. Attendees will… Continue reading Rhine Cruise on the San Francisco Bay

PROGRAM UPDATE: It is with regret that we must announce that Heath Lees is unable to present his Ring Talks due to a serious concerns which requires him to remain… Continue reading Ring Forum – Ring Cycle #2

Featured Speakers: Peter Bassett  Desirée Mays  Simon Williams LINK TO ORDER RING FORUM TICKETS:    https://sfopera.com/ring/planyourring/ring-festival/ring-cycle-forum/ Peter Bassett, a writer, speaker and broadcaster on opera, particularly the works of Richard Wagner Title:… Continue reading Ring Forum – Ring Cycle #1

Join the Society for a Concert celebrating the 205th Birthday of Richard Wagner – (see program below) St. Mark’s Lutheran Church 1111 O’Farrell Street San Francisco, CA Our guests for… Continue reading Concert – Richard Wagner's 205th Birthday

The Society is happy to welcome back Scott Foglesong to our lecture series. In his talk Scott Foglesong will focus on those intrepid folks down there in the orchestra pit—the… Continue reading Conducting Wagner

Many consider Kirsten Flagstad and Lauritz Melchior to be the greatest Wagnerian duo ever. In his talk, Jeff McMillan will recount the careers of these two great singers and will… Continue reading Flagstadt and Melchior

  The Society is delighted to welcome back Professor Adrian Daub who will give a talk entitled “Wagner’s Ring in Popular Culture.”   We are awaiting a fuller description of this… Continue reading Wagner's Ring in Popular Culture

Kay Stern will talk about her life in music and her career with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra. The Wagner Society invites artists as speakers in order to get “up… Continue reading Kay Stern, Concert Master of the San Francisco Opera

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT CLOSED ON NOVEMBER 29TH THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST The finale to the Wagner Society’s year is the annual Cosima Wagner Holiday Celebration. This unique, elegant… Continue reading Cosima Holiday Champagne Brunch

November 18th 2017 – 1:00 p.m. JCC-SF 3200 California Street San Francisco, CA   UPDATE: Our scheduled speaker, Thomas Grey had to withdraw due to a serious family emergency. He… Continue reading Great Wagner Sopranos of the Early Recording Era – Lisa Hirsch

October 14, 2017  1:00 p.m. JCC-SF 3200 California Street San Francisco, CA     Music in the Waters Composers and Conductors at the Grand Spas of Central Europe, 1810-1914 At… Continue reading Music in the Waters – Professor David Clay Large

September 16, 2017 1:00 p.m. JCC-SF 3200 California Street (@ Presidio) San Francisco, CA   The production team for Opera San José is unable to be with us, as an… Continue reading Der fliegende Hollander

Every so often, the Wagner Society offers a “Member’s Meeting”. In this meeting we turn the podium over to members who share with the group their own personal Wagner experiences.… Continue reading Member's Meeting

1:00 p.m. June 17, 2017 Desiree Mays – Heroes Then and Now “Take a good look at Wotan,” Wagner tells us, “He is us!” What is a hero? Who are… Continue reading Heroes – Then and Now

The Wagner Society of Northern California A Special Concert Celebration for the  204th Birthday Anniversary of Richard Wagner   Registration fee $35.00 – on-line ordering llink is at the  BOTTOM… Continue reading Wagner Society of Northern California – All Wagner Concert

April 1, 2017 1:00 p.m. JCC-SF at 3200 California Street, San Francisco, CA Janet Popesco Archibald, Oboe and English Horn, San Francisco Opera – More Tales from the Pit  The… Continue reading Janet Popesco Archibald, Oboe and English Horn, San Francisco Opera Orchestra

The Wagner Society Welcomes Matthew Shilvock, General Director of the San Francisco Opera JCC-SF  –  3200 California Street, San Francicso, CA 2nd Floor Gallanter Hall Matthew Shilvock brings a passion… Continue reading San Francisco Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock

February 4, 2017 – 1:00 p.m. The Wagner Society is excited to welcome Speight Jenkins to our meeting on February 4th. Speight Jenkins served as General Director of Seattle Opera… Continue reading Speight Jenkins, General Director Emeritus, Seattle Opera

A Memory in which Spring can be Recognized:  Wagner’s Die Meistersinger Saturday January 7th at 1:00 p.m JCC-SF 3200 California Street, San Francisco, CA   In one hour, Larry Oppenheim… Continue reading A Memory in which Spring can be Recognized: Wagner’s Die Meistersinger

The Wagner Society is pleased to present the 2016 Cosima Holiday Celebration   This year we start early with an 11:00 champagne welcome and social time   At 12:00 we… Continue reading 2016 Cosima Holiday Brunch Celebration

More details will follow JCC-SF 3200 California Street @ Presidio (2nd Floor Gallanter Hall) San Francisco, CA  1:00 p.m.

The Wagner Society is pleased to welcome John Mastrogiovanni, President of the Wagner Society of Southern California, for this expanded program on Parsifal. Parsifal is Richard Wagner’s final musical and… Continue reading John Mastrogiovanni "Parsifal"

The Wagner Society welcomes a favorite speaker, Professor Simon Williams. Much of the scholarly discussion of Richard Wagner as a tragic dramatist focuses on the influence upon him of the… Continue reading Simon Williams – "The Modernity of Wagner"

The Wagner Society is excited to present this wonderful Sommer Liederabend in conjunction with Lieder Alive! To Purchase Tickets on this website, navigate to the bottom of this page Our… Continue reading Mirella Hagen, Soprano – Liederabend of Wagnerian Composers

In Fall 2016, the Livermore Valley Opera will present Wagner’s Der fliegende Holländer. This is a bold move for this innovative company. Livermore Valley Opera was founded in 1992, and presents… Continue reading Der fliegende Holländer sails into Livermore

Linda Riebel conducted years of research, interviews and conversations with many people who knew Irene Dalis, the reknown Wagnerian mezzo soprano and opera impressario. In her talk Ms. Riebel will… Continue reading Irene Dalis – A Rememberance

The Society is excited to announce its annual fundraiser for the William O. Cord Memorial Grant Fund on April 14th 2016 at 6:00 p.m.  The event will be held at… Continue reading Annual Fundraiser Concert at the German Residence

Aidan Lang arrived at Seattle Opera from Auckland, New Zealand in March 2014 to “shadow” Speight Jenkins and learn the ropes at the company. After a year at the helm,… Continue reading Aidan Lang, General Director Seattle Opera

A member of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra since 1988, Mr. Miland enjoys a much acclaimed career as a soloist, chamber & orchestral musician. He made his solo debut with the San… Continue reading Tales from the Pit

Wagner’s Bayreuth and Hitler’s Munich  Professor David Clay Large   Germany’s history between national unification in 1871 and the Third Reich can be read in part as a tale of… Continue reading Wagner's Bayreuth and Hitler's Munich

Join the Wagner Society as we wrap-up the year with this popular celebratory event. The event kicks off with a “bubbly” greeting and then our entertainment for the event. Noted… Continue reading Cosima Party 2015

The Poet’s Task: “It sounded so old, and yet was so new” (Es klang so alt, und war so neu) It is Wagner Society tradition to conduct a symposium in… Continue reading Symposium – Meistersinger!

VISIT YOUR LOCAL THEATER! James Levine conducts Wagner’s early masterpiece in its first return to the Met stage in more than a decade. Today’s leading Wagnerian tenor, Johan Botha, takes… Continue reading MET OPERA HD – Tannhaeuser

JCC-SF 3200 California Street, San Francisco, CA (corner of California and Presidio)  The Wagner Society welcomes back Professor Adrian Daub, Associate Professor of German Studies, Stanford University Wagner à quatre… Continue reading Wagner à quatre mains: Four-Hand Piano and the Wagner phenomenon

JCC-SF 3200 California Street (intersection of California and Presidio) San Francisco, CA MEETING DATE HAS BEEN MOVED TO SEPT 19TH.* In this biographical and musical road movie by Andy Sommer,… Continue reading Wagner Genius in Exile

Space is limited, admission is available by reservation only   The Washington National Opera is presenting for the first time 3 complete cycles of Der Ring des Nibelungen from April 30 to May 22, 2016. This will… Continue reading Francesca Zambello – WNO Ring Talk

JCC-SF 3200 California Street (intersection of California and Presidio – San Francisco, CA) 2nd Floor Gallanter Hall The originally scheduled program “Genius in Exile” with Antoine Pasquier Wagner is postponed.… Continue reading A Story Map of the Land of the Ring AND Wagner Societies Today

The Poet’s Task: “It sounded so old, and yet was so new” (Es klang so alt, und war so neu) It is Wagner Society tradition to conduct a symposium in… Continue reading Meistersinger Symposium

1:00 June 13, 2015 JCCSF – 2nd Floor Gallanter Hall 3200 California Street (intersection of California and Presidio) San Francisco, CA Les Troyens, the tragédie lyrique that forms the crown… Continue reading "Like Stalactites in Humid Caves: the Genesis of Les Troyens"

The Wagner Society of Northern California is delighted to announce that we have been invited to present a recital and reception at the German Residence of Consul General Schlueter and… Continue reading Recital at the German Residence

Our Group Ticket Organizer Joan Lam has worked tirelessly to put together a Group Ticket Offer to Cycle III of the Ring at the Washington National Opera in 2016. Dates… Continue reading Washington National Opera – Ring 2016

HAPPY 202ND BIRTHDAY RICHARD WAGNER! The Society will be exhibiting 47 painting of the late WSNC member and artist Cal Pedranti. The Firehouse/Adeline is a huge space which in which… Continue reading Art Exhibition & Concert Celebration of Richard Wagner

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED The Wagner Society is pleased to welcome Professor Heath Lees.  University professor, broadcaster, writer, and musicologist, Heath Lees is much sought-after for his lecturing skills, especially on… Continue reading Seminar: The Music of Wagner's Ring and the Life Cycle of an Audience

Once asked how he could love Wagner, Leonard Bernstein replied, “I hate Wagner. On my knees!” Wagner and Bernstein shared extraordinary numbers of common characteristics. Both were flamboyant, controversial, and… Continue reading Wagner and Bernstein: Parallels and Contrasts

Wagner Society Members may wish to attend this program which is presented by the JCC-SF Arts and Ideas Lecture Series. Deborah Voigt has had an illustrious career singing on the… Continue reading Call Me Debbie

Believe it or not, many of the first of Thomas Edison’s two minute cylinder recordings were of opera singers. Many of the first issues were oriented toward recording Wagner, in… Continue reading Thomas Edison's Wagner Recordings

The Wagner Society is delighted to welcome Victor Thomas and Jess Thomas, Jr., sons of the unforgettable tenor Jess Thomas. The Thomas brothers will present a multi-media presentation for the… Continue reading Jess Thomas "A Dream Forged Into Reality"

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED IF YOU FORGOT, PLEASE PHONE UTA WAGNER (650)697-3004 AND SHE MIGHT BE ABLE TO SQUEEZE YOU IN    

The Wagner Society welcomes Steinway Artist and piano virtuoso Stephan Möller. Stephan Möller is also professor of piano at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna, President of the Vienna… Continue reading *Special Concert*

A Rube Goldberg Machine is an over-engineered contraption designed to perform a simple task in a complicated way.  Wagner’s operas are never easy to produce, and the implementation of special… Continue reading Dr. Evan Baker – The "Rube Goldberg" Effect in Wagner Productions

In a recent e-mail exchange with Professor Wade regarding the Covent Garden HD’s of Parsifal, the family tree of Parsifal came up. It seems Professor Wade had just finished teaching… Continue reading Professor Marjorie Wade – The Genealogy of Parsifal

Desiree Mays returns to San Francisco and the Wagner Society of Northern California with an interesing talk entitled “Wagner’s Women: Real and Imagined” At one point the three most important women… Continue reading Desiree Mays – "Wagner's Women: Real and Imagined"

Tenor Roy Stevens and Stage Director Daniel Helfgott worked long and hard to bring the first-ever performance of Wagner’s Tannhäuser to the stage in Tirane, Albania. There were times when… Continue reading The Agony and the Ecstasy – Tannhäuser's Journey to Albania

Wagner Society of Northern California President, Terri Stuart, was invited to give a presentation for the Rossmoor Opera/Ballet Club. In her talk, Terri Stuart will discuss the history of Wagner… Continue reading WSNC – Not just horned helmets and flying horses

“The Legacy of Wagner on Record”  The music of Richard Wagner has figured prominently in the music recording industry, offering many challenges to recording companies and to listeners. Dr. Sherman… Continue reading Dan Sherman – The Legacy of Wagner on Record

SAVE THE DATE! The Society has been invited to celebrate Richard Wagner’s Birthday at the beautiful German Residence of Consul General and Mrs. Peter Rothen. Our special musical guest for… Continue reading Richard Wagner Birthday Celebration

Can Art Transcend Hatred and Bigotry? The German opera composer Richard Wagner was notoriously anti-Semitic, and his writings on the Jews were later embraced by Hitler and the Nazis. But… Continue reading WSNC Film Screening – Wagner's Jews

Can’t make it to the WSNC Meeting on April 5th? Here is an earlier opportunity to see Hilan Warshaw’s film Wagner’s Jews. The documentary is being screened during the 19th… Continue reading Film Screening – East Bay International Jewish Film Festival

Wagner himself wrote of Holländer “From here begins my career as a poet, and my farewell to the mere concoter of opera texts”. Stanford Music Professor Dr. Hinton spoke on… Continue reading Dr. Stephen Hinton – Der fliegende Holländer

Wagner’s Ring poses theatrical challenges that boggle the mind. Wagner wanted flying horses, swimming mermaids, disappearing people, dragons, blazing flames, anvil splitting and strategic sword extractions. Over the years Wagnerian… Continue reading Technical Challenges of Wagner's Operas

Posted January 14, 2014 We are extremely sorry to announce that theTower Theater has cancelled the 2nd showing of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden production of Parsifal in HD. The… Continue reading CANCELLED ROH-Parsifal in HD – Sacto

Director Nikolas Lehnhoff is an Honorary Member of the Wagner Society of Northern California. Over the course of many years, award-winning documentarian Reiner E. Moritz has created documentaries about Lehnhoff’s… Continue reading Nikolas Lehnhoff – Documentary Film Tribute

The 18th Annual Berlin and Beyond Film Festival will screen the lavish new film Ludwig II at the historic Castro Theater. Ticket pricing and sales information is forthcoming. Produced in… Continue reading FILM – Ludwig II

Wagadmin phoned the Clay Theater and was informed that the performance on January 12th was cancelled. Sorry for the inconvenience which is beyond the control of the Wagner Society of… Continue reading CANCELLED-Covent Garden Parsifal in HD – SF

Screenvision Distribution is screening the Royal Opera House Covent Garden production of Parsifal in HD. The screenings for Sacramento are being held at the Tower Theater. The cast: Simon O’Neill, Angela… Continue reading ROH-Covent Garden Parsifal in HD – Sacto

Screenvision Distribution is featuring a screening of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden production of Parsifal. In San Francisco the screening takes place at the Clay Theater, in San Francisco.… Continue reading ROH-Covent Garden Parsifal in HD – SF

“Tristan’s Shadow – Sexuality and the Total Work of Art After Wagner” Stanford Assistant Professor of German Studies Dr. Adrian Daub will be reading excerpts from his forthcoming book next week.… Continue reading Book Reading – The Goethe Institut San Francisco

THE COSIMA WAGNER BIRTHDAY PARTY CONCLUDES OUR 2013 JUBILEE YEAR TO ORDER ON-LINE OR DOWNLOAD FORM, PROCEED THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE EVENT: This year we have a very special… Continue reading 2013 Cosima Wagner Birthday Celebration

Following the final performance of San Francisco Opera’s Der fliegende Holländer, the Wagner Society will have a special program to discuss and expand on Wagner’s early opera Der fliegende Holländer.… Continue reading Holländer Postlude – Expanded Program

Once again the San Francisco Opera has generously offered to Wagner Society Members a special opportunity for discounted tickets to a Wagner Opera presentation. The San Francisco Opera will offer… Continue reading Der fliegende Holländer at San Francisco Opera

Bass Baritone Greer Grimsley, in town for Der fliegende Hollander at the San Francisco Opera, takes time from his busy schedule to offer a Master Class at the San Francisco… Continue reading Greer Grimsley – Master Class

The Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany and The Wagner Society of Northern California are hosting a reception honoring the great Wagnerian bass-baritone – Greer Grimsley. We begin… Continue reading EVENT – Greer Grimsley – Reception at the German Residence

The Wagner Society is always excited to welcome Dr. Thomas Grey to our lecture schedule. In his talk Professor Grey will discuss recent productions of Wagner’s Ring, wherein global ecology… Continue reading Wagner's Ring as Eco-Parable

The Wagner Society is always delighted to welcome Simon Williams for a program. This time Professor Williams will help us gain perspective on Wagner’s Ring as realized by some of… Continue reading Berghaus, Kupfer, Friedrich & Chereau and their historical importance

Dr. Tom Artin, Author The Wagner Complex The meaning of The Ring presented something of a riddle to Wagner himself.  The frame of reference through which I propose to unravel… Continue reading The Wagner Complex

Saturday June 1, 2013  Full Festival Pass $125 per person (does not include Saturday Box Lunch or Saturday Banquet).  Saturday June 1, 2013 One-Day pass is available for $50 per… Continue reading American Liszt Society/Wagner Society – Music Festival

May 31, 2013 Full Festival pass is $125 per person (does not include Saturday Box Lunch or Saturday banquet) Friday May 31, One-Day pass available for $50 per person  … Continue reading American Liszt Society/Wagner Society – Music Festival

Opening of the Festival Full Festival Pass is $125.00 per person (does not include Saturday Box Lunch or Saturday evening banquet) Thursday May 30, 2013 (one-day pass is available for… Continue reading American Liszt Society/Wagner Society – Music Festival

Post-human Wagner: Staging the music dramas in the digital age George Bernard Shaw’s The Perfect Wagnerite  (1898) begins by inviting the reader to imagine himself as a Rhinemaiden: “Let me… Continue reading Professor Mary Ann Smart; UC Berkeley School of Music

Professor Nicholas Mathew, Department of Music, University of California, Berkeley One of the tall tales of the meeting between Beethoven and Rossini (in Vienna in 1822) was supposedly recounted by… Continue reading Beethoven, Rossini and Wagner

Updated February 5, 2013 Party details, sign-up and directions are now available Many Wagner Society Members will be attending HD broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Parsifal on March… Continue reading Post-Parsifal Grail Party

Check your local theater for tickets!

Roy Stevens, Tenor; Annalisa Winberg, soprano; Carolina Stevens, soprano; Richard Goodman, baritone all accompanied by Jonathan Khuner. This free concert will feature music from Tannhäuser, Die Walküre and an aria… Continue reading WAGNER'S 1ST ALBANIAN BIRTHDAY CONCERT! A Free Concert

“21 Years at the Met, or How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love The Ring.” Erica Miner shares her experiences as a former Metropolitan Opera violinist in her intriguing… Continue reading 21 Years at the Met

Register Now! We are delighted that renown pianist William Wellborn will be our musical guest and he has prepared an exciting mini-concert of piano works. Mr. Wellborn just returned from… Continue reading Cosima Wagner Birthday Celebration

Lauritz Melchior in Context Lauritz Melchior was ubiquitous in US Wagner performances for 25 years, dominating the Heldentenor roles at the Metropolitan and elsewhere. Think of a Siegfried or Tristan,… Continue reading Lauritz Melchior in Context

WSNC Opera Marathon Weekend concludes with a Group Ticket offer to a matinee performance Moby Dick. The San Francisco Opera has graciously made it possible for the Wagner Society Members… Continue reading MOBY DICK – OPERA PERFORMANCE

GROUP TICKETS TO THE OPENING NIGHT PERFORMANCE The Wagner Society has arranged for a special group ticket offer for members. The Lohengrin tickets will be sold exclusively through the San… Continue reading LOHENGRIN PERFORMANCE

Pre-Registration is now closed   Seating at the JCC is limited due to facility regulations, however we still have 4 seats remaining as of Noon Friday.  We can take phone calls… Continue reading Lohengrin Symposium – Pre-registration Closed

WSNC GROUP TICKETS – I CAPULETI E I MONTECCHI tickets will be sold exclusively through the San Francisco Opera Box Office on-line utilizing a special Wagner Society ticket portal. The… Continue reading I CAPULETI E I MONTECCHI – OPERA PERFORMANCE

Our Musical guest at the German Consulate will be San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow Marina Harris. We are delighted to announce that Marina Harris will be available to sing a… Continue reading Consulate Reception – Vocal Artist Marina Harris

Fresh from his Beethoven tour of Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria – we are delighted to welcom William Wellborn to our lecture series. William Wellborn is a highly… Continue reading William Wellborn – Liszt in his Bicentenary Year

PROGRAM CHANGE . . . . . Due to schedule changes, we had to move Lisa Hirsch’s talk about Lauritz Melchior to November, so the November program – a screening… Continue reading Wagner & Me – a documentary film with Stephen Fry

RESERVATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED Program for our event: Part I Die Walküre: “Ein Schwert verheiß mir der Vater” Die Walküre: “Winterstürme” Die Walküre: “Siegmund heiss’ich” Part II Parsifal: “Amfortas! Die… Continue reading Richard Wagner 199th Birthday Celebration

The Alchemy of Transition in Richard Wagner by Christopher Fulkerson, Ph.D. Whether in its “unending melody” or its coordination of music and stage action, Wagner’s work relies on the sense… Continue reading The Alchemy of Transition

The Met Opera recently announced that the entire Der Ring des Nibelungen would be shown in encore presentations in May.  The presentation of Götterdämmerung is scheduled for NOON on May… Continue reading MEETING CANCELLED

Parsifal and Transformation: It is impossible to separate Parsifal’s psychological journey from his theatrical and musical one.  Specifically, transformation—musically, dramatically, psychologically, spiritually, geographically—is at the core of Wagner’s great mystical… Continue reading Professor Michael Hackett, School of Theater, Film and Television, University of California Los Angeles

March 3, 2012 – PROGRAM CHANGE The Art and Artistry of Lotte Lehmann Thomas J. Munn will not be able to be with us in March, due to a change… Continue reading Program Change – The Art and Artistry of Lotte Lehmann – Jason Victor Serinus

With its cataclysmic climax, the Met’s new Ring cycle, directed by Robert Lepage, comes to its resolution. Deborah Voigt stars as Brünnhilde and Jay Hunter Morris is Siegfried—the star-crossed lovers… Continue reading Met HD – Götterdämmerung

The Wagner Society of Northern California is pleased to announce that Seattle Opera General Director Speight Jenkins will provide us with a preview of the 2013 Ring Cycle in Seattle.… Continue reading Speight Jenkins & Remembering Steve Sokolow

Since a production of Lohengrin in Italian in 1883, the Metropolitan Opera has presented more than 3,500 performances (more than Bayreuth) of Wagner’s operas, including the first performance of Parsifal… Continue reading Wagner Performance at the Met

The Wagner Society of Northern California has formally closed registration for the 2011 Cosima Wagner Birthday Thank you for your interest in our event. Sincerely, The 2011 Cosima Party Social… Continue reading 2011 Cosima Party

Yes, you read correctly – this program will be on a Sunday.  The Wagner Society is delighted to welcome back Professor Nicholas Vazsonyi to our program schedule.  At his last… Continue reading Professor Nicholas Vazsonyi – "What is Isolde Inhaling?"

Marie Plette, Buffy Baggott and Emma McNairy star in Richard Strauss’ comic opera.

In part three of the Ring, Wagner’s cosmic vision focuses on his hero’s early conquests, while Robert Lepage’s revolutionary stage machine transforms itself from bewitched forest to mountaintop love nest. Jay… Continue reading Met Opera HD – Siegfried

Marie Plette, Buffy Baggot and Emma McNairy star in Richard Strauss’ comic opera.

Marie Plette, Buffy Baggot and Emma McNairy star in Richard Strauss’ comedy.

“Finishing the Ring; From the “New Bayreuth Style” to Today—-a Visual Exploration”. The Wagner Society is absolutely delighted to welcome Professor William Eddelman back to continue his talk about the world… Continue reading Ring Productions from Post War to Present Day

The Wagner Society will screen a new documentary on the life of Siegfried Wagner.  This is the first documentary about the life and music of Richard Wagner’s son.  It is… Continue reading Siegfried Wagner: The Last Romantic

  In support of one of our favorite speakers, William Eddelman,  the WSNC is pleased to announce this lecture and new exhibit at the Museum of Performance and Design San… Continue reading Performing Paris – The 1920s

Join your fellow Wagnerians for a post-Ring wrap-up.  We will begin the meeting with Professor David Littlejohn.  Professor Littlejohn will review the 2011 San Francisco Ring and then moderate an… Continue reading Post-Ring Wrap Up

Enhance your Ring experience and learn more about Wagner’s masterpiece. Each symposium will explore different facets of Wagner’s Ring with unique talks given by noted scholars, many of whom have… Continue reading Ring Symposium #3 – The Love of Power – The Power of Love

Das Ende Banquet – Reservations are now closed Join the WSNC for a fantastic banquet immediately following the Cycle 2 performance of Götterdämmerung.  This is a festive way to end… Continue reading Das Ende – Reservations are now closed

Enhance your Ring experience and learn more about Wagner’s masterpiece. Each symposium will explore different facets of Wagner’s Ring with unique talks given by noted scholars, many of whom have… Continue reading Ring Symposium #2 – The Love of Power – The Power of Love

 Winder McConnell is a Professor of German Studies at UC Davis.       England has its King Arthur and St. George, France, Charlemagne and Roland, ancient Babylon, Gilgamesh and Enkidu,… Continue reading The Transformation of Heroes – Siegfried and the Nibelungen through the Centuries

The Enigma of Wagner’s Genius and Anti-Semitism Wagner Through a Jewish Lens With Panelists: Deborah Lipstadt, Emory University Randy Cohen, Former author of The New York Times column “The Ethicist”… Continue reading Wagner Through a Jewish Lens

DESIGNING WAGNER’S RING – The Museum of Performance and Design is the sponsor of this event An Aesthetic/Historic View (1876-2010) Cameo Exhibition Opening and Lecture     Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at… Continue reading Designing Wagner's Ring – An Aesthetic/Historic View (1876-2010)

Wagner – Die Walküre – New Production by Robert Le Page 9:00 a.m. start, running time approximately 5 hours 30 minutes http://www.metoperafamily.org/metopera/broadcast/hd_events_next.aspx   for more information A stellar cast comes together for… Continue reading Met Opera HD – Die Walküre

Conservatory Orchestra    Andrew Mogrelia, Conductor  In Conjunction with the San Francisco Opera Ring Festival 2011 & Brit Week Wagner and Elgar Program: Wagner Entry of the Gods into Valhalla Siegfried’s… Continue reading WAGNER at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Leitmotif and Memory in Götterdämmerung:   Siegfried and the potion –– In his talk, Professor Grey will be applying the ideas from new fields of music cognition and perception to both our understanding of… Continue reading Leitmotiv and Memory in Wagner’s Götterdämmerung

San Francisco Opera Schwabacher Debut Recital Former Adler Fellow, mezzo-soprano Daveda Karanas, presents a Schwabacher Debut Recital featuring Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder, accompanied by pianist Allen Perriello. The recital also includes Liszt and… Continue reading Wesendonck Lieder of Richard Wagner

  Conrad Susa, Professor San Francisco Conservatory of Music, will discuss the development of Richard Wagner’s choral writing beginning with Das Liebesmahl der Apostel  – The Love-Feast of Penticost and continuing… Continue reading A Love Meal with Richard Wagner

  Sir Georg Solti, famous among Wagnerians for his Decca recording of Der Ring des Nibelungen from 1958-65, asserted in his Memoirs (on the basis of a disappointing experience at… Continue reading "You cannot cast the Ring today" Historical perspectives on Solti's Lament

Educated in Great Britian, Eugen d’Albert showed early musical talent and, at the age of seventeen, he won a scholarship to study in Austria.  Feeling a kinship with German culture and music,… Continue reading "Opera and Marriage in the works of Eugen d'Albert"

Musical guest soprano, Megan Cullen.  Ms. Cullen will perfom a dazzling program of arias and lieder of Richard Strauss, Franz Liszt and Richard Wagner.   MEGAN CULLEN, soprano, holds degrees… Continue reading 2010 Cosima Liszt von Bülow Wagner – Birthday Celebration

Myths are stories passed down through generations and are used by cultures as a way to understand the mysteries of human experience and through these stories to present inner realities.… Continue reading Wagner's Ring – Myths and Imagination

  Do-it-Yourself – Purchase tickets and attend the Metropolitan Opera HD of Das Rheingold. 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (approximate timing) ==== Professor Nicholas Vazsonyi:  Richard Wagner – Self-Promotion and the… Continue reading WAGNER DOUBLE HEADER

  At Staatstheater Kassel a tradition of staging Wagner’s “Ring” has long been established. In the early seventies producer Ulrich Melchinger introduced a Wallstreet atmosphere and the forms and colors… Continue reading The Inspection of a Century: Wagner’s Ring in Kassel

Originally broadcast on the Sci-Fi channel as Dark Kingdom—the Dragon King, Sword of Xanten is director Uli Edel’s take on the Volsung Saga.  Starring Benno Führman (Siegfried), Kristanna Loken (a very sexy Brunnhild),… Continue reading Sword of Xanten

The Wagner Society of Northern California will screen the documentary film Der Meistersinger (The Meistersinger). Film maker Astrid Bscher followed tenor Klaus Florian Vogt for a period of approximately 7… Continue reading Film Presentation & Intro to Verismo Valkyrie in Vallejo

WSNC Member Paul Dachslager will present the talk “The Paradox of Wagner and Modernism” Wagner was an important proponent of early modern culture, but when these values became more extreme… Continue reading The Paradox of Wagner and Modernism

RESERVATIONS ARE CLOSED The program for the concert portion of our event: Part I Die Walküre Act I: “Ein Schwert verheiss mir der Vater” Die Walküre Act I:  “Winterstürme” Die… Continue reading Richard Wagner's 199th Birthday

To locate the order form, click “Seattle Opera – Ring 2013” The Wagner Society of Northern California is pleased to announced Group Ticket Sales for the Seattle Ring 2013 Joan… Continue reading Seattle Opera – Ring 2013

Location – Veteran’s Memorial Building  2nd Floor Green Room 401 Van Ness Avenue San Francisco, CA Registration is closed for this event.  

San Francisco Opera Guild Invites You to Revelry on The Rhine Join San Francisco Opera Guild on Saturday, June 11 at The St. Regis San Francisco for Revelry on the… Continue reading Revelry on the Rhine

Wagner Abend – Sponsored by the Goethe Institut San Francisco The Goethe Institut will screen the 2005 documentary film “Richard Wagner and his Women” directed by Andreas Morell, 44 minutes… Continue reading Richard Wagner and his Women – Film and Lecture

Enhance your Ring experience and learn more about Wagner’s masterpiece. Each symposium will explore different facets of Wagner’s Ring with unique talks given by nationally and internationally noted scholars, many of… Continue reading 2011 Ring Symposium #1 – "The Love of Power, The Power of Love"