Should I start with DVDs? I've often heard that you really need to experience Wagner rather than listen to him. Absolutely! Until I saw Wagner on dvd he was a composer I respected rather than loved. Try the famous Boulez/Chereau Ring or the totally-gripping Davis Tannhauser. read more
Then you should listen to the Ring, preferably with the Solti/Vienna Philharmonic recording that suppled the examples for Cooke. And once you can get through the Ring and understand what's going on musically, Wagner will never seem difficult again. read more
You have to start reading, as much as you can, to comprehend the huge and quite complex genious of Wagner, so that, when you listen to the first "piece" of his music works, you may comprehend what's going on. read more