"The Most Controversial Figure in Classical Music"

International opera artistic/musical director and conductor and Encore Learning instructor John Edward Niles will speak about "Wagner and Hitler: The Wagner Family and the Bayreuth Festival."

Using audio-visual presentations, including Wagner’s music and interviews with members of Wagner’s extended family, Niles will focus on the relationship between Wagner, his philosophy, and the rise of National Socialism as it concerns the Wagner family and the Bayreuth Festival.

Starting with events on the day that Wagner dies in 1883, Niles will look at the Wagner family, generation by generation, and especially Wagner’s daughter-in-law Winifred and her personal relationship with Hitler. Niles will show how Hitler and the political rise of the right-wing politicians were part of the fabric of the Wagner Festival (its overall atmosphere and day-to-day operations) from its inception in 1876 (seven years before Wagner’s death) to the end of the War and into the 21st Century.

Encore Learning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2002. They offer a wide variety of college-level noncredit courses, clubs, special events and activities to help meet the continuing educational and social interests of anyone over age 50, regardless of residence location.

• Location campus Central Library
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