Richard Wagner's anti-semitism has been at the center of the conversation of classical "cancellation" for a generation, but writer, filmmaker, and violinist Paul Festa is challenging the tradition of Wagner-adjacent cancel culture with a new essay: "Cancellation of the Gods". He talks with Garrett about his journey with Wagner's music, the conversations that brought him to his continued appreciation of it, and a cannabis strategy that he believes can create more fans of Wagnerian opera. Garrett and Scott share music from their most recent road trips, and Garrett offers a TRILLOQUY aimed at musicians who he sees as complicit in continued inequitable orchestral programming.

Playlist:

Beyoncé - "MOOD 4 EVA"

Turghun Alimatov/Alisher Alimatov - "Holimni So'ramaysan" (You Don't Ask How I Am)

perf. John Oeth - "Descendant of Shinobi" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hiywORDi9A)

perf. Kai Schumacher - "Black Hole Sun"

Neil Young - "Old Man"

Terence Trent D'Arby - "If You Let Me Stay"

Richard Wagner - "Gotterdammerung" Finale

Richard Wagner - "Lohengrin" Prelude

Percy Grainger - "Children's March, Over the Hill and Far Away"

More:

Downbeat (DaBaby at Rolling Loud): https://www.the-sun.com/news/3354175/rapper-dababy-homophobic-rant-rolling-loud-festival/

Paul Festa: http://www.paulfesta.com/index.htm

Cancellation of the Gods: https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/cancellation-of-the-gods/

Beyoncé’s “Formation” named Rolling Stone’s Best Music Video of All Time: https://www.revolt.tv/news/2021/7/30/22602531/beyonce-formation-best-video-of-all-time-rolling-stone

Simone Biles’ decision to prioritize her mental health a sign of American culture shift: https://whyy.org/articles/simone-biles-decision-to-prioritize-her-mental-health-a-sign-of-american-culture-shift/

Olympic committee reviews US athlete's gesture supporting 'oppressed' people as a potential violation of protest ban: https://www.theblaze.com/news/raven-saunders-olympics-protest-probe

46-year-old gymnast Oksana Chusovitina gets standing ovation after competing in her eighth Olympic Games: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/oksana-chusovitina-final-olympics-standing-ovation/

NYC Gay Men’s Chorus Shrouded in Accusations of Racism: https://www.gaycitynews.com/nyc-gay-mens-chorus-shrouded-in-accusations-of-racism/?fbclid=IwAR3VwzhrOzQkrJKVvrNNXWH2w4EMtw5o-n-MozCGsvthOrP34bAMUnLtWQA

Every Time Arts Leaders Cave To Racial Pressure, They Deal Creativity Another Blow: https://slippedisc.com/2021/07/every-time-arts-leaders-cave-to-racial-pressure-they-deal-creativity-another-blow/

Black Theater Artists Are Helping Shakespeare Speak To More Diverse Audiences: https://www.npr.org/2021/07/29/1019258187/shakespeare-black-theater-race-diverse-audiences

Jacksonville 2021/2022 Season: https://www.jaxsymphony.org/21-22-season/