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Richard Wagner

Richard Wagner: The Visionary of Music Drama

Introduction to Richard Wagner

Wilhelm Richard Wagner (1813–1883) was a German composer, conductor, and theatre director, best known for his revolutionary approach to opera, which he termed "music drama." Unlike most composers, Wagner wrote both the libretto and music for his works, creating a total work of art (Gesamtkunstwerk) that seamlessly combined poetry, music, drama, and visual spectacle. His use of leitmotifs—musical themes associated with characters, emotions, or ideas—transformed the storytelling power of music and influenced generations of composers.

Wagner’s Most Celebrated Works

The Ring Cycle: A Monument of Operatic Art

Wagner’s epic Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung) is a four-opera cycle inspired by Norse mythology, considered one of the greatest achievements in classical music:

  • Das Rheingold (1869) – The foundation of the saga, introducing the mythical world of gods and mortals.
  • Die Walküre (1870) – Features the legendary "Ride of the Valkyries," one of the most famous orchestral works ever written.
  • Siegfried (1876) – The heroic journey of a fearless warrior, marked by powerful themes.
  • Götterdämmerung (1876) – The dramatic conclusion of the cycle, depicting the downfall of the gods.

Other Operatic Masterpieces

Wagner’s operas pushed musical boundaries, both dramatically and harmonically:

  • Tristan und Isolde (1865) – A revolutionary work that introduced extreme chromaticism, influencing modern music.
  • Lohengrin (1850) – Known for the ethereal "Bridal Chorus" ("Here Comes the Bride").
  • Tannhäuser (1845) – A tale of love, redemption, and divine struggle, featuring the famous Overture and "Pilgrim’s Chorus."
  • The Flying Dutchman (1843) – A dark and stormy opera exploring fate and salvation.
  • Parsifal (1882) – Wagner’s final opera, a deeply spiritual and mystical masterpiece.

Orchestral Innovations and Influence

Wagner’s rich harmonies, expanded orchestration, and use of chromaticism shaped the future of classical music, inspiring composers such as Mahler, Strauss, and even film score composers of the 20th century. His concept of the leitmotif remains a foundational technique in film music today.

Wagner’s Enduring Legacy

Wagner’s operas remain some of the most ambitious and transformative works in Western music. His compositions redefined the possibilities of opera, influencing both classical and contemporary music. The Bayreuth Festival, founded by Wagner himself, continues to stage his operas annually, attracting audiences from around the world.

Richard Wagner

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  • Strauss - Four Last Songs; 12 Orchestral Songs - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, George Szell, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, The London Symphony Orchestra / Great Recordings Of The Century / EMI Audio CD 1998 Stereo / 724356690820 Strauss - Four Last Songs; 12 Orchestral Songs - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, George Szell, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, The London Symphony Orchestra / Great Recordings Of The Century / EMI Audio CD 1998 Stereo / 724356690820
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    Strauss - Four Last Songs; 12 Orchestral Songs - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, George Szell, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, The London Symphony Orchestra / Great Recordings Of The Century / EMI Audio CD 1998 Stereo / 724356690820

    $25.91
      Strauss - Four Last Songs; 12 Orchestral Songs - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, George Szell, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, The London Symphony Orchestra / Great Recordings Of The Century / EMI Audio CD 1998 Stereo UPC...
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  • The Klemperer Legacy: Bruckner - Symphonie 6, Wagner: Wesendonck-Lieder - Christa Ludwig, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra / EMI Classics Audio CD Stereo 1999 / 724356703728 The Klemperer Legacy: Bruckner - Symphonie 6, Wagner: Wesendonck-Lieder - Christa Ludwig, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra / EMI Classics Audio CD Stereo 1999 / 724356703728
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    The Klemperer Legacy: Bruckner - Symphonie 6, Wagner: Wesendonck-Lieder - Christa Ludwig, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra / EMI Classics Audio CD Stereo 1999 / 724356703728

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      The Klemperer Legacy: Bruckner - Symphonie 6, Wagner: Wesendonck-Lieder - Christa Ludwig, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra / EMI Classics Audio CD Stereo 1999 UPC 724356703728   Label: EMI Classics –...
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  • Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Kirsten Flagstad, Maria Jeritza, Karin Branzell, Emmy Destinn, Tiana Lemnitz, Margarete Teschemacher, Elisabeth Rethberg, Maria Muller, Frida Leider, Margarete Baumer / History 10x Audio CD, Box Set 2001 / 205657-324 Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Kirsten Flagstad, Maria Jeritza, Karin Branzell, Emmy Destinn, Tiana Lemnitz, Margarete Teschemacher, Elisabeth Rethberg, Maria Muller, Frida Leider, Margarete Baumer / History 10x Audio CD, Box Set 2001 / 205657-324
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    Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Kirsten Flagstad, Maria Jeritza, Karin Branzell, Emmy Destinn, Tiana Lemnitz, Margarete Teschemacher, Elisabeth Rethberg, Maria Muller, Frida Leider, Margarete Baumer / History 10x Audio CD, Box Set 2001 / 205657-324

    $159.99
      Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Kirsten Flagstad, Maria Jeritza, Karin Branzell, Emmy Destinn, Tiana Lemnitz, Margarete Teschemacher, Elisabeth Rethberg, Maria Muller, Frida Leider, Margarete Baumer / History 10x Audio CD, Box Set 2001 /...
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  • Wagner For Brass - Edo De Waart, Members Of The Berlin Philharmonic And The Bayreuth Festival Orchestra / Philips Digital Classics / Philips Audio CD 1993 / 434 109-2 Wagner For Brass - Edo De Waart, Members Of The Berlin Philharmonic And The Bayreuth Festival Orchestra / Philips Digital Classics / Philips Audio CD 1993 / 434 109-2
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    Wagner For Brass - Edo De Waart, Members Of The Berlin Philharmonic And The Bayreuth Festival Orchestra / Philips Digital Classics / Philips Audio CD 1993 / 434 109-2

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      Wagner For Brass - Edo De Waart, Members Of The Berlin Philharmonic And The Bayreuth Festival Orchestra / Philips Digital Classics / Philips Audio CD 1993 / 434 109-2 UPC 028943410922   Edo de Waart (born 1 June 1941, Amsterdam)...
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  • Richard Strauss - Also Sprach Zarathustra; Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche; Tod Und Verklarung; Salome - Dance Of The Seven Veils - Staatskapelle Dresden, Rudolf Kempe / EMI Classics Audio CD 2001 Stereo / 724357459020 Richard Strauss - Also Sprach Zarathustra; Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche; Tod Und Verklarung; Salome - Dance Of The Seven Veils - Staatskapelle Dresden, Rudolf Kempe / EMI Classics Audio CD 2001 Stereo / 724357459020
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    Richard Strauss - Also Sprach Zarathustra; Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche; Tod Und Verklarung; Salome - Dance Of The Seven Veils - Staatskapelle Dresden, Rudolf Kempe / EMI Classics Audio CD 2001 Stereo / 724357459020

    $25.91
    Richard Strauss - Also Sprach Zarathustra; Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche; Tod Und Verklarung; Salome - Dance Of The Seven Veils - Staatskapelle Dresden, Rudolf Kempe / EMI Classics Audio CD 2001 Stereo UPC 724357459020   Also sprach...
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  • Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Richard Strauss: Don Juan / Chesky Records Audio CD 1993 / CD88 Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Richard Strauss: Don Juan / Chesky Records Audio CD 1993 / CD88
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    Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Richard Strauss: Don Juan / Chesky Records Audio CD 1993 / CD88

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    Hector Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique, Richard Strauss: Don Juan / Chesky Records Audio CD 1993 / CD88 UPC 090368008824   Louis-Hector Berlioz (11 December 1803 – 8 March 1869) was a French Romantic composer and...
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  • Richard Strauss - Don Juan; Symphonic Poem, Op. 20; Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche Symphonic Poem, Op.28; Ein Heldenleben - The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Audio Archive Classics Audio CD / CLA024 Richard Strauss - Don Juan; Symphonic Poem, Op. 20; Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche Symphonic Poem, Op.28; Ein Heldenleben - The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Audio Archive Classics Audio CD / CLA024
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    Richard Strauss - Don Juan; Symphonic Poem, Op. 20; Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche Symphonic Poem, Op.28; Ein Heldenleben - The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Audio Archive Classics Audio CD / CLA024

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    Richard Strauss - Don Juan; Symphonic Poem, Op. 20; Till Eulenspiegels Lustige Streiche Symphonic Poem, Op.28; Ein Heldenleben - The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Audio Archive Classics Audio CD / CLA024 UPC 5033107802425   Don Juan, Op...
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  • WAGNER - THIELEMANN KAUFMANN, STAATSKAPELLE DRESDEN / FSK ab 0 freigegeben / UNITEL CLASSICA / major / Blu-ray DVD Video (814337011505) WAGNER - THIELEMANN KAUFMANN, STAATSKAPELLE DRESDEN / FSK ab 0 freigegeben / UNITEL CLASSICA / major / Blu-ray DVD Video (814337011505)
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    WAGNER - THIELEMANN KAUFMANN, STAATSKAPELLE DRESDEN / FSK ab 0 freigegeben / UNITEL CLASSICA / major / Blu-ray DVD Video

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    WAGNER - THIELEMANN KAUFMANN, STAATSKAPELLE DRESDEN / FSK ab 0 freigegeben / UNITEL CLASSICA / major / Blu-ray DVD Video UPC 814337011505 Playtime is 108 Minutes    In memory of the great Richard Wagner and mindful of their own Wagner...
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  • WAGNER - THIELEMANN KAUFMANN, STAATSKAPELLE DRESDEN / UNITEL CLASSICA / major / DVD Video (814337011499) WAGNER - THIELEMANN KAUFMANN, STAATSKAPELLE DRESDEN / UNITEL CLASSICA / major / DVD Video (814337011499)
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    WAGNER - THIELEMANN KAUFMANN, STAATSKAPELLE DRESDEN / UNITEL CLASSICA / major / DVD Video

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    WAGNER - THIELEMANN KAUFMANN, STAATSKAPELLE DRESDEN / UNITEL CLASSICA / major / DVD Video UPC 814337011499 Playtime is 108 Minutes    In memory of the great Richard Wagner and mindful of their own Wagner tradition, the Staatskapelle...
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  • Christian Thielemann / Staatskapelle Dresden / Schumann - The Complete Symphonies / Discovering Schumann Christian Thielemann about Schumann's Symphonies / Unitel Classica / major / DVD Video (814337010843) Christian Thielemann / Staatskapelle Dresden / Schumann - The Complete Symphonies / Discovering Schumann Christian Thielemann about Schumann's Symphonies / Unitel Classica / major / DVD Video (814337010843)
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    Christian Thielemann / Staatskapelle Dresden / Schumann - The Complete Symphonies / Discovering Schumann Christian Thielemann about Schumann's Symphonies / Unitel Classica / major / DVD Video

    $49.10
    Christian Thielemann / Staatskapelle Dresden / Schumann - The Complete Symphonies / Discovering Schumann Christian Thielemann about Schumann's Symphonies / Unitel Classica / major / DVD Video UPC 814337010843 Playtime is 182...
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  • RICHARD - WAGNER PARSIFAL / POUL ELMING, LINDA WATSON, FALK STRUCKMANN, HANS SOTIN / BAYREUTHER FESTSPIELE / GIUSEPPE SINOPOLI / Staged by Wolfgang Wagner / Unitel Classica / major / DVD Video (814337010591) RICHARD - WAGNER PARSIFAL / POUL ELMING, LINDA WATSON, FALK STRUCKMANN, HANS SOTIN / BAYREUTHER FESTSPIELE / GIUSEPPE SINOPOLI / Staged by Wolfgang Wagner / Unitel Classica / major / DVD Video (814337010591)
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    RICHARD - WAGNER PARSIFAL / POUL ELMING, LINDA WATSON, FALK STRUCKMANN, HANS SOTIN / BAYREUTHER FESTSPIELE / GIUSEPPE SINOPOLI / Staged by Wolfgang Wagner / Unitel Classica / major / DVD Video

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    RICHARD - WAGNER PARSIFAL / POUL ELMING, LINDA WATSON, FALK STRUCKMANN, HANS SOTIN / BAYREUTHER FESTSPIELE / GIUSEPPE SINOPOLI / Staged by Wolfgang Wagner / Unitel Classica / major / DVD Video UPC 814337010591 Playtime is 268...
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  • Richard Strauss: Symphonie alpestre op. 64 - Orchestre National de France, Kurt Masur (direction) / Radio France Audio CD 2010 / FRF005 Richard Strauss: Symphonie alpestre op. 64 - Orchestre National de France, Kurt Masur (direction) / Radio France Audio CD 2010 / FRF005
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    Richard Strauss: Symphonie alpestre op. 64 - Orchestre National de France, Kurt Masur (direction) / Radio France Audio CD 2010 / FRF005

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    Richard Strauss: Symphonie alpestre op. 64 - Orchestre National de France, Kurt Masur (direction) / Radio France Audio CD 2010 / FRF005 UPC 794881935321   An Alpine Symphony (Eine Alpensinfonie), Op. 64, is a tone poem for...
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