Event Listing
WHAT
Happy Birthday Richard Wagner (1813-2013) with Walter Rudolph
WHERE
WTTW/WFMT Studios
5400 N St. Louis
Chicago, IL
WHEN
Saturday, May 18, 2013, 9:00 am
The name of Richard Wagner clangs copious sonorities in Walter Rudolph's brain, including Wagner's searching early works, his erratic behavior, tunnel vision and impetuous demand for legendary-status-recognition from the world of his day.
Learn how today's world continues to be driven by the Wizard of Bayreuth, reaction of leading Wagnerian performers; performance traditions; the Parsifal Piano; his descendants and the Bayreuth Festival in the 21st century. But also fathom his genius and grasp a bit of why Wagner's creations not only demand, but deserve something of our attention.
Most of all, experience the diverse musical styles defining Richard Wagner during the month of his 200th birthday.
Walter B. Rudolph considers himself the imperfect Wagnerite. He's been perfecting that imperfection for over 50 years. One impediment to the process is his still unpatented Wagnerian Dilemma Eradicator.
During his 35 plus years in public radio (Classical 89, KBYU-FM in Provo, Utah), he reported on things Wagnerian from Bayreuth, Brussels and Berlin to Dallas, San Francisco and New York. Included in those reports was the premiere production of the Country-Western version of Die Gotterdammerung, "Das Barbecu," which wasn't in Dallas, but Seattle.
Walter was 12 when he bought his first Wagner LP at the Ben Franklin Store in his hometown of Cody, Wyoming. He is a former member of the Chorus at Lyric Opera of Chicago, Music of the Baroque, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, with a BA in vocal performance and MA in musicology from Brigham Young University. He also is the current President of the Jussi Bjôrling Society-USA.
Join us for this special all day seminar which will include a lecture, discussion, and lunch. It will be a day you won't forget.
The cost for the Immersion Day is $150, with a special student discounted price of $50. To receive the special student discount, use the Promo Code STUDENT during checkout. Register to attend by clicking the button below or by calling (773) 279-2120.
Please note that tickets will not be sent in the mail, but your name will be included on the guest list at the door. Immersion Days are held at the WFMT/WTTW Studios (5400 N. Saint Louis Avenue in Chicago). For more information, please email Kathleen van de Graaff at pvandegraaff@wfmt.com.
