CHICAGO — I never write to the newspaper, but your recent article on Wagner (Arts & Entertainment, Sept. 23) provoked me to the point that I am sending this e-mail. Like you, I count myself among those who abhor his writings but believe his music should be played. I cannot understand the arguments of those who think that we should ban someone’s art because of their personal viewpoint, but I think it is partly attributable to the fact that they do not connect with the music.
I don’t hear anyone saying we should ban Cat Stevens’ songs from the radio. When he converted to Islam and took a new name, Stevens was among those who condemned Salman Rushdie. I don’t hear anyone saying we should ban the Broadway show “Cats,” although T.S. Eliot was a noted anti-Semite. Ditto for exhibits on Charles Lindbergh and many others.
These viewpoints are glossed over, I think, by the majority of Americans of an age that they remember a Cat Stevens song, saw “Cats” at the theater, or learned about Lindbergh in school. I think most would be hard pressed to name anything written by Wagner other than “The Ride of the Valkyries.”
If we stopped listening to or reading all of the musicians and writers who had faulty political views, there would be a whole lot o’ stuff that would have to be taken off the shelves. Anyone who does not want to listen to Wagner is free to stay away from the concerts. But I suggest that they should not try to impose that viewpoint on everyone.
— Paul Canchester
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