The Bayreuth festival, founded by Wagner, was utilized by the Nazis as a propaganda tool against the Jews.
Both Hitler and Wagner were not only racist, but both were also artists and politicians. Whereas Wagner exhibited a number of talents, Hitler was known for his painting and oratory skills. Both were paranoid that they had Jewish forbearers. Some of those things that Hitler and Wagner shared agreed upon are as follows: race is based on appearance, language, nationality and genetics; an "Aryan" white race is the supreme race of purity, beauty, and goodness; Germans will rule the world; all race other than Aryan are inferior; Nietsche's Will to Power and social Darwinism are the foundations upon which personality and society ought to be based; Jews were contaminating German blood; Jesus was not a Jew; Jews have no religion; Jews lust after money and power; Jews are physically repulsive; Jews are parasites; Jews are demons and must be expelled or destroyed; Wagnerian Art could save the world; and finally, each believed they were infallible. (Rose)
Wagner's influence on the Nazi leadership was considerable, although it is often exaggerated. Not only were his operas ultranationalistic, but they provided further support to the Nazi conception of society and culture. His music was used at important moments during the Nazi reign. For example, on the Day of Potsdam, a propaganda show on March 21, 1933 presented by Goebbels to introduce the new Reichstag, the day closed with a performance of Die Meistersinger; reportedly at the insistence of Hitler. The Ride of the Valkyries, furthermore, was played as accompaniment to reports of German air attacks. (Stein)
Wagner was Hitler's idol, perhaps because he viewed the nineteen century musician as somebody who, against all odds, had risen to greatness. Hitler attended Wagner operas often and bragged that he had read all of Wagner's work. While in Linz aspiring to become an artist, according to a friend, Hitler had an ear for no music other than Wagner. While young, Hitler attempted to write a "Wagnerian" opera in 1907, although he had no musical training.
During the years of war, Hitler frequently visited Wagner's heirs at Villa Wahnfried (Wagner's home) in Bayreuth. Bayreuth served as an opportunity for escapism and shrine to Wagner for Hitler and other Nazi leaders. Wagner's family believed Hitler to be Germany's savior. There is little doubt about the influence Wagner's music had on Hitler, for the Fuehrer claimed of Parsifa, l one of Wagner's last music dramas, that: "Out of Parsifal I have made a religion." According to Wagner historian, Paul Rose:
Wagner intended Parsifal to be a profound religious parable about how the whole essence of European humanity had been poisoned...
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