I felt like I was reading information on my own work at times.  I say this because Puccini is said to have woven emotional and personal elements into the music of his work.  In all honesty, this particular "type" or "story line" isn't generally my forte.  However, I am rather intrigued.  Largely because of the harsh criticism he received.  When I find something I like or feel like I might, I am even more motivated to give it a try.  I do understand that Wagner intended for this to be presented in a four day festival of sorts.  However, I don't understand why he fought so hard to not have it shown.  Couldn't he have just taken longer to write them?  
I agree with you that we need to preserve these works.  It is of the utmost importance to maintain some sort of a connection to what brought us to the point we are at now.  
Do you think the themes and "stories" within Wagner's work could apply today?