Alex Ross and John Adamsin Conversation (Cal Performances at Home)

Wagnerism: Art and Politics in the Shadow of Music Program: One of today’s most influential and well-respected writers on classical and contemporary music, Alex Ross shares insights from his new book, Wagnerism: Art and Politics in the Shadow of Music, exploring the controversial composer’s influence on the artistic, intellectual, and political life of both his time and ours. In this livestreamed talk, Ross is joined (virtually) by eminent composer, author, and longtime Cal Performances partner and friend John Adams, who—with operas including Nixon in China, The Death of Klinghoffer, and Doctor Atomicto his credit—is no stranger to musical drama and its intersection with politics and history. Ross’ new book is the product of more than 10 years of research and reflection, and examines the resonance of Wagner’s mythic storytelling on, among many other things, fantasy fiction by J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, and films and television shows such as Star Wars, The Matrix, and Game of Thrones.