Richard Wagner
Wilhelm Richard Wagner (22 May 1813 – 13 February 1883) was a German composer, theatre director, and conductor who is primarily known for his operas (or "music dramas," as he later termed them). Unlike most opera composers, Wagner wrote both the libretto and the music for each of his stage works. His compositions, particularly those of his later period, are notable for their complex textures, rich harmonies, and orchestration.
Early Life
Richard Wagner was born in Leipzig, which was then a part of the Confederation of the Rhine. He was the ninth and youngest child of Carl Friedrich Wagner, a clerk in the Leipzig police service, and Johanna Rosine Wagner, the daughter of a baker. Wagner's father died of typhoid fever shortly after his birth, and his mother subsequently moved in with Ludwig Geyer, an actor and playwright. It is believed that Johanna and Geyer married, although documentation is lacking. Throughout his youth, Wagner was known as Wilhelm Richard Geyer.
Career and Works
Wagner's reputation is largely built on his operatic works, which include masterpieces such as "The Flying Dutchman," "Tannhäuser," "Lohengrin," and his monumental tetralogy, "Der Ring des Nibelungen." Among Wagner's most innovative ideas was his conception of the Gesamtkunstwerk, or "total work of art," which sought to synthesize music, poetry, drama, and visual spectacle. This was most fully realized in his later operas, such as "Tristan und Isolde" and "Parsifal."
The Ring Cycle
"Der Ring des Nibelungen" (The Ring of the Nibelung) is a cycle of four epic operas that includes "Das Rheingold," "Die Walküre," "Siegfried," and "Götterdämmerung." These works are based on characters from Norse mythology and German folklore.
Bayreuth Festival
Wagner was instrumental in establishing the Bayreuth Festival, a music festival held annually in the town of Bayreuth, Germany, which was designed to showcase his works. The festival theater was designed by Wagner and has become a pilgrimage site for devotees of his music.
Personal Life and Legacy
Wagner's personal life was as tumultuous as his music. He married Minna Planer in 1836, but the marriage was troubled and ended in separation. He later married Cosima Liszt, the daughter of the composer Franz Liszt, with whom he had children. Cosima played a significant role in promoting Wagner's music after his death.
Wagner's legacy is complex, influenced by both his revolutionary contributions to music and his controversial, often polarizing personality and writings. His work influenced a broad range of artists, philosophers, and musicians, including Friedrich Nietzsche, Gustav Mahler, and Richard Strauss.
Controversies
Wagner's works and writings have been scrutinized due to their perceived antisemitic content, a subject of considerable debate among scholars and audiences. Despite this, his music remains a staple of the operatic repertoire worldwide.