RICHARD WILHELM WAGNER

(1813-1883)

German composer - also writer (of his own librettos, and of essays on musical and philosophical topics); also noted conductor, in which function he earned a living and visited London in 1855 and in 1877.

Born in Leipzig, travelled much, met much opposition.

From RIENZI (1842) went on to write successful operas THE FLYING DUTCHMAN, TANNHÄUSER, and LOHENGRIN; then exemplifying his new theories of music and drama, composed TRISTAN AND ISOLDE, THE RING (cycle of 4 operas); and PARSIFAL.

The Festival Theatre at Bayreuth opened in 1876, was built to his own revolutionary design.

He had a mistress Mathilde Wesendonk, and afterwards took as mistress Cosima wife of Bülow and daughter of Liszt, and married her when his first wife died.

Wagner died in Venice..... he influenced the course of music as much as any composer as to operatic structure, harmony, and orchestration.

He introduced the WAGNER TUBA instrument.

For the music of Wagner, go to our online store at:

http://klavarskribo.com/

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