For the first time, Ryan Harvey and Aaron Ridley put Wagner centre-stage to show why he mattered so much to Nietzsche. Looking at both The Case of Wagner and Nietzsche Contra Wagner, they identify and define the trajectory of a number of overarching themes - modernity, decadence and Wagner as the sign of decline.

Considers Nietzsche's lifelong obsession with Wagner and why it matters for understanding Nietzsche's philosophy as a whole Ryan Harvey and Aaron Ridley put Wagner centre-stage to show why he mattered so much to Nietzsche. Looking at both The Case of Wagner and Nietzsche Contra Wagner, they identify and define the trajectory of a number of overarching themes - modernity, decadence and Wagner as the sign of decline within Nietzsche's work as a whole - and then demonstrate how they crystallise into Nietzsche's final and most substantial discussion of Wagner in The Case of Wagner. Assuming no prior knowledge of Nietzsche or the texts, they offer a chapter-by-chapter interpretation of The Case of Wagner addressing especially why Wagner is a 'case' for Nietzsche. Ryan Harvey is a Lecturer in Philosophy at The California State University. Aaron Ridley is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Southampton.