Kevin Sutton wrote:

>Perhaps you can give us some personal comments or feedback about the
>recent controversy surrounding the playing of Wagner's music in Israel
>that made the news over here in the US. I would be interested to hear
>an opinion or evaluation on the matter from one who actually lives in
>Israel.

It has taken me some time to reply to this message, because the problem is
not an easy or an obvious one, and has nothing to do with the merits of
Richard Wagners' music.(My answer itself may stir a controvery here in our
mailing list.)

There is no doubt (at least in my mind and in the minds of other Israelis)
about Wagner strong antisemitic feelings and his hatred of the Jews, and
their place in music.  As Simon Weil has written in his invaluable WEB
books (see Yahoo/Simon Weil) Wagner was a revolutionary, and "Wagner's
attacks against the Jews must be considered an integral part of his
revolutionary theory".

Adolf Hitler embraced Wagner and his writings.

Simon Weil continues:

   "Wagner, said Hitler, had really proclaimed the eternal tragedy of
   human destiny. He was not merely a musician and a poet; he was the
   supreme prophetic figure among the Germans. He(Hitler) had come early
   to Wagner, by chance or by the disposition of Providence. He had
   discovered, with almost hysterical excitement, that everything written
   by that great man that he had read was in agreement with his innermost,
   subconscious, dormant conviction." (Hitler Speaks Rauschning p226
   1940)

   "Whoever wants to understand National Socialist Germany must know
   Wagner." (Quote in The Rise and Fall of The Third Reich William
   Shirer.)

As the majority of the Jews in Israel to-day are victims of the Holocaust's
atrocities or their descendents, their attitude towards (or more exactly
against) the public playing of Wagners' music in Israel is understandable,
especially noting the fact that most or all of the musical ensembles in
Israel receive some sort of financial help from our official institutions.
It is possible, of course, for anyone interested in Wagner's music, to
purchase Wagner's records in most of our local shops.

Much has been said and written about Wagner and The Jews. To anyone who
wants to go deeper into the matter I would advise to read Mr. Simon Weil's
writings in his WEB Books.

Zeev Schor