READ the following article from Wikipedia on Wagners anti-Semitic writings here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_Judenthum_in_der_Musik
Your textbook gives you around two paragraphs on Wagners anti-Semitism, but the result of Wagners writings about Judaism (NOT in his music itself, per se) have had long-lasting and long-reaching consequences. In Israel, it was governmentally prohibited (banned) to perform Wagners music until the Israeli supreme court overturned the official ban some years ago. Still, there is an unofficial, culturally-enforced ban on Wagners music to this day, and occasionally those who choose to program his work often inspire harsh backlash and media frenzy. But Wagner was not, by a long shot, the only artist to have expressed anti-Semitic views during his lifetime. Seeing that many other notable anti-Semites have their work performed or displayed in Israel today, do you think its fair and/or reasonable to have Wagners work somewhat singled out for a cultural ban? Why do you think this is the case with his music in particular? Read the following short article from The Wall Street Journal and then go onto the discussion posting assignment below. Here is the link to the article:
http://classicalmusicguide.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=26409
