Richard Wagner Museum, Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland

4Hans_Sachs 5:00 PM Nov 1, 2015

Interesting place for Wagnerites
Like Bayreuth, one of those places which attracts Wagnerites. Unlike Bayreuth, there isn’t much here. Still, they have Nietzsche’s death mask, some of Wagner’s clothes, portraits of der Meister, the inevitable piano... And, believe it or not, the original communion bread used in the 1899 performance of Parsifal, in Bayreuth. It’ll take you about an hour to see the museum, unless you’re especially devout. Be aware that it shuts for lunch – check the opening hours before you take the path down by the lake (about 20 minutes walk from the station).

4GuidoLocattelli 5:00 PM Apr 10, 2017

Important and essential for lovers of late romantic music.
Many years ago long before the range of calendar dates suitable for indicating the time of my visit were made available for completing this review I walked all the way to this house and traveled on foot from the lake Lucerne shore to follow streets and narrow roads to arrive at my destination. Perhaps fifteen, twenty or thirty minutes at the most at making progress. Do not go by boat. It was not out of the way. I knew where I was going. I read the map carefully. I walked my way back following the same route. No problem. Picturesque location for sure as it overlooks the edge of the lake. Exhibits were not as grandiose as I might have expected them to be. There were no guided tours for visitors then. I simply walked around the house by myself. That was how I wanted it to be. I would agree the words spoken by others who recommend this as a destination if you are a music lover. I did like going to see where Wagner lived. I did not think then that multiple tours were necessary. One was enough. This house was not off the beaten path. It was within comfortable walking distance. Several parts of Wagner's life were on display but not too many musical scores. A good knowledge of nineteenth century classical music would have been helpful as the location was idyllic for meditation. I remember seeing the word Tribschen as the name of this locality not knowing what that meant. Do not allow the steep hill leading up to the house keep you from going up to the entrance. Many conditions for seeing this house and for traveling there have changed most dramatically since I was there many years ago. I was traveling with a eur-rail pass and a student identification card to save money. I did attain those goals. Inside were batons used by conductors. So much memorabilia of classical music were on display and plentiful like books and clothing and musical scores. I suggest that you take a walk out to see this house. Many of artifacts seemed be reproductions. I heard that some of the valuable originals were destroyed. It was a three story house and admission desk personnel were nice to me. Do not take any group tours with guides. Was it better than seeing the concert hall in large cities where this music is performed? I will leave that up to you - but I did say to myself at least twice that many of things once displayed at this house could fill a neatly packaged small music concert museum.Yes many parts of this house were beautiful. How essential was it for me to visit the house? Lovers of later romantic classical music should consider this to be like a musical mecca. I did not have any trouble understanding the exhibits. It did not bother me to go from one floor to another. The house was not large enough to keep me from hearing the words spoken by people as stragglers in the last tour. Words spoken in this way had a way of troubling me. Was it a permanent interruption? I think not - just irritating. Do not enter the house munching on three ham sandwiches and drinking a milkshake. Be respectful. Can this place do anything good for improving your knowledge of classical music? I think so. A good place to practice your German. I did not see many forms of modern technology for hearing music on site from various formats. That situation must have changed dramatically since then. Reading some of the reviews of many performances of his music was worthwhile for me. Contrast his life with his reputation and the difference will often challenge you my as it did me. As one person said: Do not go tromping around with multiple tours just go by yourself. I do agree. I recall seeing some people using the lawn as a picnic spot. No damage done. This can be a tranquil villa where Wagner and his family lived for six or seven years. It is where he spent much writing compositions like operas. Many of his enduring works have their origins there. The furniture was said to be original. Rooms were filled with memorabilia from the composer's life - for example paintings letters and musical instruments. I recommend that you go there. I liked being there. Be respectful of the grounds.