It is now one hundred years since Richard Wagner was born thirty since he died. In every land he has his monument in one shape or another; his music-dramas can be heard all the world over; all the ancient controversies as to their merits or demerits have died down. The Bayreuth theatre the outward and visible sign of his inner greatness has risen to the point of its most splendid glory and lapsed into the limbo of tenth-rate things. Every one who really cares for the art of music and especially the art of opera (of which art music is by far the most important factor) has had ample time and opportunity for making up his mind. It is therefore high time to simplify and to cease from elaborating. In this book will be found I trust no special pleading no defence or extenuation no preposterous eulogy on the one hand and on the other no vampire work but a plain and concise attempt to depict the mighty artist as he lived and to describe his artistic achievement as it is. We have all had time to consider and to sort out (so to say) the reams that have been written and printed about Wagner: the bulk of it has had to be thrown on the scrap-heap: what there was of value has I hope been utilised.