A collaboration of the Richard Wagner Society of the Upper Midwest and the Triangle Wagner Society

Program

The talk examines the evolution and culmination of Wagner’s ideas regarding the role of a “conscious redeemer,” which he later defines as a “complete human being” (as noted on January 26, 1854, and further elaborated in his essay “Religion and Art”). Although Parsifal can be appreciated independently for its exploration of the complexities of the human condition and the pursuit of enlightenment, it is deeply informed by the foundation established in Wagner’s four-opera cycle, Der Ring Des Nibelungen, effectively serving as an extension or “fifth” part of the Ring, now turned Grail, that brings the theme of enlightenment to its full realization. The speaker has written a book entitled Parsifal: The Will and Redemption.

This presentation was originally presented to the Triangle Wagner Society. This RWSUM event is a video recording of that original event.

Speaker

John Mastrogiovanni’s introduction to Wagner’s Ring Cycle occurred at the age of five, thanks to his father. By age nine, he was studying the piano scores of the operas and identifying leitmotifs and their variations. He played French horn for ten years during and after his junior-high school years. In 1995, John became a member of the Wagner Society of Southern California. He has served as Chairman since 2010.

John regularly delivers lectures on Wagner at diverse venues, including societies, clubs, colleges, and the Bayreuth Festival. He is the author of eight books, including a work on Wagner’s Parsifal. He holds both master’s and doctoral degrees in theological studies and ministry and has served as an ordained minister for more than 42 years. He leads a ministry based in Southern California with outreach across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and South Africa.

Schedule

2:00 pm Gather and Socialize

2:15 pm Presentation

4:00 pm End of Event

Registration

This is a free event! Members and their guests may attend at no charge. However, we do ask that you RSVP (Register) for the event.

Directions

The Highland Park Library is located within the Highland Park Community Center at 1974 Ford Parkway, Saint Paul, MN 55116 (map), on the south side of the street roughly half-way between Fairview and Cleveland Avenues. A parking lot is located adjacent to and west of the community center. Its entrance is on Ford Parkway, just east of the Kenneth Street traffic light (map). If you are traveling east on Ford Parkway, turn right immediately after the light. If you are traveling west on Ford Parkway, turn left into the entrance just before the light. Some street parking is also available on both sides of Ford Parkway.

We will meet in the Highland Park Community Room located on the upper level of the library. After you enter the building, take either the stairway or the elevator to the upper level.