Richard Wagner
(22 May 1813–13 February 1883)
Wilhelm Richard Wagner (ˈvÉ‘ËÉ¡nÉ™r/; German pronunciation: [ˈÊiçaÊt ˈvaËÉ¡nÉ]; 22 May 1813 – 13 February 1883) was a German composer, conductor, theatre director and polemicist primarily known for his operas (or "music dramas", as they were later called). Wagner's compositions, particularly those of his later period, are notable for their complex texture, rich harmonies and orchestration, and the elaborate use of leitmotifs: musical themes associated with individual characters, places, ideas or plot elements. Unlike most other opera composers, Wagner wrote both the music and libretto for every one of his stage works. Perhaps the two best-known extracts from his works are the Ride of the Valkyries from the opera Die Walküre, and the Wedding March (Bridal Chorus) from the opera Lohengrin.
Operas
| Opera | Premiere or date of written | Libretti available |
|---|---|---|
| Die Feen | 1833 | german, english |
| Das Liebesverbot | 1836, March 29 | german, russian |
| Rienzi | 1842, October 20 | german, russian |
Der fliegende Holländer  |
1843, January 2 | german, english, russian |
| Tannhäuser | 1845, October 19 | german, english |
| Lohengrin |
1847 | german, english, russian |
| Tristan und Isolde | 1859 | german, english, russian |
| Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg |
1867, October | german, english, russian |
| Das Rheingold | 1869, September 22 | german, english, french, russian |
| Die Walküre |
1870, June 26 | german, english, french |
| Siegfried |
1871 | german, english, russian |
| Götterdämmerung |
1874 | german, english, russian |
| Parsifal | 1882, July 26 | german, english |
Images
Notable videos
|
Richard Wagner - The Ring Without Words
Orchestral highlights from the Ring Cycle. |
External links
- Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Bayreuth Festival (in German and English) Official site of the Bayreuth Festival, a music festival held annually in Bayreuth, Germany, at which performances of operas by Richard Wagner are presented.