Germans, Opera, and How to Win

Now over the past centuries Germany has been know for its military might, and has been seen to be the nasty neighbor in Europe. Wars have been costly, deadly, and had left Germany seen as the less than friendly neighbor on the Continent.

But as noted in the Guardian perhaps there is a new tactic now that Germany has money, an efficient economy, and a culture that can be re-invigorated in a more civilized manner.

I speak of the Guardian's comments on the opening night at La Scala. La Scala is the premier center of opera in Europe, especially Italian Opera. But this year opening night is Wagner! Yes Wagner, not Verdi or some other famous Italian composer. Wagner, in the midst of the European meltdown.

As the Guardian notes:

The theatre's decision to opt for Wagner, whose pounding operas were the soundtrack for German unification, over Verdi, whose uplifting works inspired Italy's own Risorgimento, comes as Italians feel the bite of austerity policies they see as dictated by Berlin, a humiliation lightened only by Italy's beating of Germany in the European championships this summer.

"This choice is a smack for Italian art, a blow for national pride in a moment of crisis," Milan's daily newspaper, Corriere della Sera, declared, claiming there was disquiet in the orchestra at La Scala, where Verdi made his professional debut. "Would the Germans have inaugurated a Wagnerian year with a work by Verdi?" asked the paper.

 It seems that Germany is taking premier place in Europe; banking, production, intellectual work, and the arts. Italy is financially falling apart so they choose Wagner! I look forward to what happens on opening night. Not a single gun is fired, just Wagner.

The final comment is compelling:

Come Friday, fighting in the audience may not be on the cards when Lohengrin returns to Milan, but Conrad said the night would be more than just about opera: "This row is about the continuing balance of power in Europe – there is always a nationalist edge when we talk about Verdi and Wagner."

Nice to see we have come a long way, I think.