Wagner & Me

Wagner & Me is a compelling documentary film from director Patrick McGrady, released in 2010. The film offers an incisive and thought-provoking exploration of the life, the world, the music, and the controversial legacy of German composer Richard Wagner (1813-1883). Famous actor-comedian and writer Stephen Fry serves as the film's charismatic and personable guide. As a self-professed Wagner enthusiast, Fry provides a deeply personal inquiry into the controversial composer’s enduring impact on the cultural and artistic landscape.

The film kicks off with Fry travelling to Germany to delve into the life and work of Wagner who, despite the brilliance of his operas, left a blemish on his reputation through his widely documented anti-Semitic views. Throughout the documentary, Fry grapples with the complex emotions stirre by Wagner's anti-Semitism especially given his own Jewish heritage and the trauma inflicted on his ancestors during the Holocaust.

The narrative of Wagner & Me is deeply-rooted in history, but it is as much about Fry's personal journey as it is about Wagner himself. Fry's journey takes him across different parts of Europe, visiting significant locations in Wagner's life such as Switzerland, Bavaria, and, of course, the prestigious Bayreuth Festspielhaus - a theatre solely designed and constructed to showcase Wagner's operas.

Bringing his trademark wit and warmth to the subject, Fry helps make the world of opera, and particularly Wagner's music, accessible even to those without extensive knowledge of the genre. He makes it evident how Wagner's music and mythology has exerted such an enduring impact on Western culture, despite the divisive personality behind the compositions.

Wagner & Me never shies away from the more problematic aspects of Wagner's life and legacy. It offers a balanced and thoughtful examination that doesn't seek to obscure Wagner's flaws, but instead grapples earnestly with the question of how to reconcile one's admiration for an artist's work with the repulsion one might feel about their personal beliefs. This predicament yields an intriguing exploration of the proverbial dilemma of separating the art from the artist – a question that remains strikingly relevant in today's world.

Fry interacts with various experts throughout the film, including historians, musicologists, and Wagner’s descendants, providing viewers with a multifaceted perspective on one of the most contentious figures in music history. This multidirectional approach allows us to not only gain insight into Wagnerian music but also to thoroughly think about the wider concerns in terms of morality, history, and art. The documentary offers an overflow of knowledge in a palatable delivery making it as informative as it is entertaining.

Beyond the man himself, though, Wagner & Me also delves into the music that has defined Wagner's legacy long after his death. From overtures to four-hour epics, Fry unpacks the intricacy and emotional depth of Wagner's most iconic pieces. The movie brings attention to the classic compositions that includes works such as "Ring Cycle," "Tristan and Isolde," and "Die Meistersinger."

Wagner & Me also presents some most remarkable excerpts of Wagnerian opera performed by various contemporary artists and orchestras, adding some aesthetic pleasure to the educational journey. Visually, the film is rich, with breathtaking sceneries and operatic performances that are interspersed across the runtime, making for an immersive experience.

Overall, Stephen Fry's Wagner & Me is a brilliantly presented, intensely personal, and intellectually challenging exploration of a controversial cultural icon. The documentary delightfully showcases Fry's depth of knowledge and his ability to ask the questions that need to be posed in addressing Wagner's thorny legacy. It meditates on the power of music, the constraints of morality, and in the end, leaves the audience with as many questions as answers — a testament to its effectiveness as a piece of thought-provoking, engaging cinema.