Eric Kisch:

>Wagner? Smile? You've got to be kidding!  I don't think the guy had a
>humorous molecule in his body.

If you have any patience for Wagner at all, check out a little book
called "Wagner on Conducting".  I picked it up thinking it would be
about technichal pointers and technique, but its mostly criticisms of his
contemporaries and anecdotes, and I found it hugely amusing.  I have a
Dover Thrift Edition of it, and (as all Dover Thrifts) it costs ONE DOLLAR.

Bob K.