We have enjoyed a very lively season in 2007 – 2008. Our speakers brought fascinating recordings of BBC broadcasts of Wagner in English from the 1960s, introduced us to Lorzing, a contemporary of Wagner who also wrote an opera about Hans Sachs, and deepened our understanding of Wagner’s works through comparisons of interpretations by different directors, conductors and singers. Our Chairman, Robin Hobbes, took us through the themes in Die Walkure familiar to the world of psychotherapy and emphasised the need to look at the text. What does the libretto tell us about the background and childhood experiences that have made Wotan and Sigmund in particular the people they are? The choice between love and power, the transforming power of love, human responses to trauma and loss, the putting of words to experiences and the need to come to terms with mortality and change are all there in this magnificent opera. Look out for Robin’s next assignment in the 2008 – 9 season.

For further information about any of the above please contact the Secretary of the Wagner Society of Manchester : Jackie Roberts Tel: 0161 794 5096 email: jr.corrie@ntlworld.com