Is it possible to separate Richard Wagner, the composer of beautiful music, from his history of antisemitism?
I think this is difficult to answer, and it would certainly not be right to ignore Wagner’s history of antisemitism (especially in light of the fact that the Nazis used Wagner’s music extensively for their propaganda – in cinemas, for the daily news, when they announced military “victories”, for instance). However, his music is a major achievement, and it would be wrong not to perform it. I am impressed by the Jewish conductor Daniel Barenboim, who has performed Wagner in Israel. He has also assembled an orchestra of Israeli and Palestinian musicians who perform together. His example shows that art can conquer politics, but it does not mean that one should forget about the dark side of Wagner’s (and Germany’s) history.
