Our Man in Vienna

Utter Foolishness

Historian Ian Kershaw claims that Hitler’s appreciation of Wagner’s operas was more induced by the dramatic scenography of the productions he attended, rather than by the music. These productions of the Vienna Opera House consisted of visual, as well as musical extravaganzas. Indeed later Nazi rallies were staged like Wagner operas to a background music by Wagner.

Coming to the conclusion that Hitler’s love of Wagner was more visual than auditory is absurd. Obviously, he spent hours and hours listening, as well as viewing. Wagner’s music was part of this mass murderer’s makeup.Does that somehow soften his monstrous crimes? Hitler, like all mass murderers, was born on Planet Earth.In describing him, accuracy must be adhered to. His musical tastes do not in any way lessen the criminality of his actions.

– Herbert Kuhner