Friedrich Nietzsche 
The Case of Wagner, Nietzsche Contra Wagner, and Selected Aphorisms 

The Case of Wagner is a book written by Friedrich Nietzsche that was first published in 1888. It has been dubbed ‘A Musician’s Dilemma’ and is also known as The Wagner Case in English. Friedrich Nietzsche’s ‘Nietzsche contra Wagner’ is a critical essay made of repeated portions from his previous works. It was composed during his final year of lucidity (1888-1889), although it was not published until 1895, six years following his mental breakdown. In this little piece, Nietzsche explains why he broke company with his former idol and friend, Richard Wagner. Wagner’s opinions are attacked by Nietzsche, who expresses disillusionment and unhappiness with Wagner’s life choices (such as his conversion to Christianity, perceived as a sign of weakness). Nietzsche assesses Wagner’s tonal, musical, and aesthetic theory.