Boston Wagner Society

The Boston Wagner Society, Inc. is a 501©(3) nonprofit organization that promotes the knowledge and enjoyment of the music and librettos of the nineteenth-century composer Richard Wagner.


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Recent Events & News

Honoring the life of Susan Robertson

It is with great sadness that one of our valued board members, Susan Robertson, passed away recently. She was responsible for BWS website maintenance for many years and was our graphic design expert. She loved BWS, the music, and the collaboration.

VISITATION
Wednesday
, September 27, 2023; 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
MacDonald, Rockwell, & MacDonald Funeral Home
270 Main St., Watertown, MA 02472

It was a request on behalf of Susan and her family that donations be made directly to the Boston Wagner Society. She loved to see BWS thrive and volunteered countless hours. Please consider making a BWS donation in honor of Susan, or sending flowers via her obituary page above.

Donate in Memoriam

In Memoriam: Stephen Gould (1962-2023)

We as a society are extremely saddened to hear of the death of the great Wagnerian heldentenor, Stephen Gould, who passed away at 61. He had to suddenly retire recently due to a cancer diagnosis that took his life. Stephen was a lovely artist and soul.

“I am grateful to Bayreuth, for teaching me all that I could have hoped to know about the performance of this great musician’s works.
With many fond memories… Stephen Gould”

In Memoriam: Graham Clark (1941-2023)

We as a society gratefully acknowledge the life and passing of the late and great Wagnerian, Graham Clark, who died at 81 this past July. He was a member of our Distinguished Advisory Board.

Graham Clark was known as the greatest Mime of his generation, and his chemistry with Siegfried Jerusalem’s Siegfried was legendary. 

Distinguished Advisory Board

Boston Wagner Society is proud and honored to acknowledge these great Wagnerians in our Distinguished Advisory Council.

Read more here.

  • Stephanie sang her first Fricka in Stephen Wadsworth’s ‘Green Ring’ in Seattle and has gone on to perform the role on many occasions.

  • Katarina Dalayman is renowned for her portrayal of both soprano and mezzo Wagnerian roles, including Brünnhilde, Brangane, and Fricka.

  • Mark Delavan is lauded for his performances of Flying Dutchman and Wotan, in addition to his wide-ranging repertoire from Verdi to Sweeney Todd.

  • Michelle De Young is well known for her portrayals of many of Wagner’s mezzos, including Brangäne, Venus, Fricka, and Waltraute.

  • Greer Grimsley’s long and award winning career includes Wotan, Telramund, Dutchman and Gunter. He is also an acclaimed Scarpia, Jochanan, and Macbeth.

  • Gordon Hawkins’ highly praised performances include Alberich, Gunter, and Telramund. He is also well known for Verdi and for his portrayal of Porgy.

  • Ben Heppner is known for his iconic Tristan, Lohengrin, and Walter, as well as Beethoven’s Florenstan.

  • James Morris is one of the greatest interpreters of Wotan of his generation. He is equally known for his Hans Sachs and Scarpia.

  • Stephen Wadsworth is an award winning director of opera and theater, well known for his groundbreaking Ring production for Seattle Opera.

  • Margaret Jane Wray has performed Sieglinde, Gutrune and Third Norn with great success at the Metropolitan Opera and many other houses.

  • Graham Clark was known as the greatest Mime of his generation, and his chemistry with Siegfried Jerusalem’s Siegfried was legendary.

    Obituaries: Opera News, Opera Wire, The Guardian

Featured Articles from the Archive


A note about the header picture:

The image of the swan boats in Boston Common was taken by a BWS member at one of our events in the Boston Public Garden. Nineteenth-century Bostonian entrepreneur Robert Paget started this leisure swan-boat business after he was inspired by seeing a performance of Lohengrin, after Wagner’s swan boat scene of his own. Read more here.