Concerts from the Library of Congress is gearing up for a month full of events that pay homage to the great German opera composer, Richard Wagner (1813-1883), who would have turned 200 years-young in 2013. Since we cannot present a full production of Der Ring des Nibelungen in the Coolidge Auditorium, we thought we would offer a glimpse into some lesser-known musical elements of Wagner’s legacy. Listen to a new podcast by David H. Plylar and Chloe Veltman, as they discuss the exciting and unique birthday celebrations in store at the Library of Congress:
Our Wagner-bash features a new documentary that looks at Wagner’s Symphony in C major, WWV 29 (1832) and the composer’s time in Venice. The Music Division holds manuscripts of Wagner’s piano transcription of the symphony, resources that proved invaluable to the film team as they developed their project. Keynote lectures will be delivered by scholar Alan Walker (“In Defense of Transcription”) and author Alex Ross (“Black Wagnerism”) in conjunction with two special recitals. Pianist Valerie Tryon will perform beloved transcriptions by Franz Liszt of Wagner and Verdi works. Renowned mezzo-soprano Margaret Lattimore will sing Wagner’s song cycle Wesendonck Lieder, WWV 91 (1857-1858). For complete information about our Wagner events, visit www.loc.gov/concerts.
Wagner + Verdi at 200 Event Listings
Presented in cooperation with the exhibition
“A Night at the Opera”
Thursday, November 7, 2013, 7:00pm
Film-screening: Richard Wagner: Venetian Diary of the Rediscovered Symphony (2013)
United Sates Premiere
Pickford Theater, Madison Building
Free, no tickets required
Saturday, November 9, 2013, 12:00pm
Wagner & Verdi at the Piano
Alan Walker, lecturer, “In Defense of Transcription”
Valerie Tryon, piano, performs works by Verdi, Wagner and Mozart, as transcribed by Liszt.
Coolidge Auditorium, Jefferson Building
Free, tickets required
Saturday, November 23, 2013, 11:00am
Film-screening: The Making of Der Ring des Nibelungen (2005)
Pickford Theater, Madison Building
Free, no tickets required
Saturday, November 23, 2013, 2:00pm
Wagner in America
Alex Ross, lecturer, “Black Wagnerism”
Margaret Lattimore, mezzo-soprano, performs Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder and songs by Mozart and Brahms.
Coolidge Auditorium, Jefferson Building
Free, tickets required. Advance reservations are full, but RUSH! tickets are available at the door.
Presented in association with Wagner 200 and The Wagner Society of Washington, DC