Modernism after Wagner (review)

Modernism after Wagner by Juliet Koss explores the enduring influence of Richard Wagner's concept of Gesamtkunstwerk (total artwork) on modernist architecture and theatre design, revealing its central role in shaping national identity through performance spaces. Koss demonstrates how Wagner's vision for a Festspielhaus in Bayreuth—characterized by amphitheater seating and an orchestra pit—became a blueprint for future theatres, including Max Littmann's Prinzregententheater and Walter Gropius's Total Theatre. The study traces the genealogy of this concept from its 19th-century origins to mid-20th century reconfigurations, emphasizing its impact on modernist aesthetics in architecture and visual arts. Koss also examines Wagner's nationalist motivations, contrasting his German music dramas with the bombastic operas of Paris, while analyzing theories of spectatorship such as 'Einfühlung' (embodied response) to further contextualize the audience's aesthetic experience.

Ruff, F. J. (2012). Modernism after Wagner (review). Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism, 26(2), 237–239. https://doi.org/10.1353/dtc.2012.0005