The Wagner Society of Washington, D.C.  Announces a Free Lecture by
Its Distinguished Member:

John J. Pohanka

"WAGNER, THE MYSTIC"

The Wagner Society of Washington, D.C.  is pleased to announce a lecture
by its Member, the Washington businessman and philanthropist, John J.
Pohanka, on Thursday, May 29, 2003, 7:30 P.M.  at the George Washington
University, Funger Hall, 2201 G Street, N.W. in Washington, D.C.  The
event is open to the public.  Admission is free.

John Pohanka notes that Bryan Magee, in his book Aspects of Wagner,
says "some people listening to Wagner's music are made to feel that
they are in touch with their own personality for the first time.  The
feeling of wholeness yet unboundedness - hence, its frequent comparison
with a mystical or religious experience." In his lecture, Mr.  Pohanka
will show how such experiences are the result of Wagner's metaphysics,
which he developed both intuitively and purposefully over many years,
culminating in his last great work, Parsifal.  Mr.  Pohanka believes
that in doing this, Wagner joins a long line of mystics spanning many
centuries and cultures.

The lecturer is an economics graduate of Princeton University.  He
is also a second generation automobile dealer and is Chairman of the
Pohanka Automotive Group which holds thirteen car and truck franchises
at eleven locations in the Washington area.  He has served as President
of the National Automobile Dealers Association and is a founder and past
chairman of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.
Mr.  Pohanka is Chairman of the Capital Automotive Real Estate Investment
Trust, the first publicly traded REIT for automotive properties.

He is a great friend and benefactor of opera and has served as a trustee
of the Washington Opera since 1989.  He is a member of the Washington
Opera's Executive Committee and is Co-chairman of its Marketing Committee.
He is the Executive Producer of "Washington Opera Commentaries" featuring
opera lecturer Saul Lilienstein on CDs.  He is an active and generous
member of the Wagner Society of Washington, D.C.  He has served on its
Board of Directors since the Board was organized.  This will be his first
lecture to The Society.

The Wagner Society of Washington, D.C.  is a private, non-profit
organization for the study and enjoyment of Wagner's art.  Its series
of lectures, the Evelyn Lear and Thomas Stewart Emerging Singers Program,
and social events will continue through June 2003.  Many programs are
free to the public.

   The Wagner Society of Washington, D.C.
   P.O. Box 33051
   Washington, D.C. 20033
   Telephone 301.907.2600
   Facsimile 301.907.8671
   http://www.wagner-dc.org

Posted by

Janice Rosen, Founder
Wagner Society of Washington, DC