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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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  • Richard Wagner: Tannhäuser - Elisabeth Grümmer, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Hans Hopf, Fritz Wunderlich, Gottlob Frick u.a., Chor Der Deutschen Staatsoper Berlin, Staatskapelle Berlin, Dirigent: Franz Konwitschny / ETERNA LP Stereo 1976 / 8 25 235 Richard Wagner: Tannhäuser - Elisabeth Grümmer, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Hans Hopf, Fritz Wunderlich, Gottlob Frick u.a., Chor Der Deutschen Staatsoper Berlin, Staatskapelle Berlin, Dirigent: Franz Konwitschny / ETERNA LP Stereo 1976 / 8 25 235
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    Richard Wagner: Tannhäuser - Elisabeth Grümmer, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Hans Hopf, Fritz Wunderlich, Gottlob Frick u.a., Chor Der Deutschen Staatsoper Berlin, Staatskapelle Berlin, Dirigent: Franz Konwitschny / ETERNA LP Stereo 1976 / 8 25 235

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    Richard Wagner: Tannhäuser - Elisabeth Grümmer, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Hans Hopf, Fritz Wunderlich, Gottlob Frick u.a., Chor Der Deutschen Staatsoper Berlin, Staatskapelle Berlin, Dirigent: Franz Konwitschny / ETERNA LP Stereo 1976  8...
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  • Richard Wagner: Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg (Ausschnitte) - Theo Adam, Helen Donath, René Kollo, Peter Schreier, Geraint Evans, u. a., Chor der Staatsoper Dresden, Leipziger Rundfunkchor, Staatskapelle Dresden / ETERNA LP Stereo 1975 / 8 26 192 Richard Wagner: Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg (Ausschnitte) - Theo Adam, Helen Donath, René Kollo, Peter Schreier, Geraint Evans, u. a., Chor der Staatsoper Dresden, Leipziger Rundfunkchor, Staatskapelle Dresden / ETERNA LP Stereo 1975 / 8 26 192
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    Richard Wagner: Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg (Ausschnitte) - Theo Adam, Helen Donath, René Kollo, Peter Schreier, Geraint Evans, u. a., Chor der Staatsoper Dresden, Leipziger Rundfunkchor, Staatskapelle Dresden / ETERNA LP Stereo 1975 / 8 26 192

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    Richard Wagner: Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg (Ausschnitte) - Theo Adam, Helen Donath, René Kollo, Peter Schreier, Geraint Evans, u. a., Chor der Staatsoper Dresden, Leipziger Rundfunkchor, Staatskapelle Dresden / ETERNA LP Stereo 1975 8 26...
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  • Szereti Ön Wagnert? / Hungaroton LP Stereo 1980 / FX 12215 Szereti Ön Wagnert? / Hungaroton LP Stereo 1980 / FX 12215
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    Szereti Ön Wagnert? / Hungaroton LP Stereo 1980

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    Szereti Ön Wagnert? / Hungaroton LP Stereo 1980  FX 12215 Product Details Label: Hungaroton – FX 12215 Format: Vinyl, LP Country of Release: Hungary Year...
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  • Hermann Prey: Lieder Von Richard Strauss - Gerald Moore (klavier) / Decca LP Stereo / SXL 21083-B Hermann Prey: Lieder Von Richard Strauss - Gerald Moore (klavier) / Decca LP Stereo / SXL 21083-B
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    Hermann Prey: Lieder Von Richard Strauss - Gerald Moore (klavier) / Decca LP Stereo

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    Hermann Prey: Lieder Von Richard Strauss - Gerald Moore (klavier) / Decca LP Stereo SXL 21083-B Product Features: Label: Decca Format: Vinyl, LP, Stereo Country: Germany Released: 1961 Genre: Classical Style: Classical,...
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  • Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Singt Lieder Von Mozart Und Strauss - London Symphony Orchestra, George Szell / Die Stimme Seines Herrn LP / 1 C 063-01 959 Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Singt Lieder Von Mozart Und Strauss - London Symphony Orchestra, George Szell / Die Stimme Seines Herrn LP / 1 C 063-01 959
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    Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Singt Lieder Von Mozart Und Strauss - London Symphony Orchestra, George Szell / Die Stimme Seines Herrn LP

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    Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Singt Lieder Von Mozart Und Strauss - London Symphony Orchestra, George Szell / Die Stimme Seines Herrn LP  1 C 063-01 959 Product Features Vinyl, LP Released in Germany Label: Die Stimme Seines Herrn Genre:...
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  • Wagner: Birgit Nilsson, Hans Hotter - Excerpts From Die Walküre = The Flying Dutchman - Philharmonia Orchestra, Leopold Ludwig / Columbia LP / 33CX 1542 Wagner: Birgit Nilsson, Hans Hotter - Excerpts From Die Walküre = The Flying Dutchman - Philharmonia Orchestra, Leopold Ludwig / Columbia LP / 33CX 1542
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    Wagner: Birgit Nilsson, Hans Hotter - Excerpts From Die Walküre = The Flying Dutchman - Philharmonia Orchestra, Leopold Ludwig / Columbia LP

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    Wagner: Birgit Nilsson, Hans Hotter - Excerpts From Die Walküre = The Flying Dutchman - Philharmonia Orchestra, Leopold Ludwig / Columbia LP  33CX 1542 Product Details: Label: Columbia Format: Vinyl,...
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  • Richard Wagner: Rheingold - Lisa Otto, Melitta Muszely (sopran), Sieglinde Wagner, Johanna Blatter, Ruth Siewert (alt), Helmut Melchert, Rudolf Schock (tenor), Ferdinand Frantz, Josef Metternich, Benno Kusche (bass) / ETERNA LP / 8 20 091 Richard Wagner: Rheingold - Lisa Otto, Melitta Muszely (sopran), Sieglinde Wagner, Johanna Blatter, Ruth Siewert (alt), Helmut Melchert, Rudolf Schock (tenor), Ferdinand Frantz, Josef Metternich, Benno Kusche (bass) / ETERNA LP / 8 20 091
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    Richard Wagner: Rheingold / ETERNA LP

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    Richard Wagner: Rheingold / ETERNA LP 8 20 091 Lisa Otto, Melitta Muszely (sopran), Sieglinde Wagner, Johanna Blatter, Ruth Siewert (alt), Helmut Melchert, Rudolf Schock (tenor), Ferdinand Frantz, Josef Metternich, Benno Kusche (bass) Product...
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  • Richard Wagner: Tannhäuser - And The Song Contest At The Wartburg / Elisabeth Grümmer, Hans Hopf, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Gottlob Frick / His Master's Voice LP Stereo / ASD 555 Richard Wagner: Tannhäuser - And The Song Contest At The Wartburg / Elisabeth Grümmer, Hans Hopf, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Gottlob Frick / His Master's Voice LP Stereo / ASD 555
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    Richard Wagner: Tannhäuser - And The Song Contest At The Wartburg / Elisabeth Grümmer, Hans Hopf, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Gottlob Frick / His Master's Voice LP Stereo

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    Richard Wagner: Tannhäuser - And The Song Contest At The Wartburg / Elisabeth Grümmer, Hans Hopf, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Gottlob Frick / His Master's Voice LP Stereo ASD 555 Product Features Vinyl, LP, Stereo Label: His Master's Voice...
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  • Richard Wagner - Operatic Overtures: Tannhäuser, The Mastersingers, The Flying Dutchman, Tristan And Isolde - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor Franz Konwitschny / Supraphon LP Stereo / 50134 Richard Wagner - Operatic Overtures: Tannhäuser, The Mastersingers, The Flying Dutchman, Tristan And Isolde - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor Franz Konwitschny / Supraphon LP Stereo / 50134
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    Richard Wagner - Operatic Overtures: Tannhäuser, The Mastersingers, The Flying Dutchman, Tristan And Isolde - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor Franz Konwitschny / Supraphon LP Stereo / 50134

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    Richard Wagner - Operatic Overtures: Tannhäuser, The Mastersingers, The Flying Dutchman, Tristan And Isolde - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor Franz Konwitschny / Supraphon LP Stereo 50134 Product Features: Label: Supraphon –...
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  • Áriák - R. Wagner: Tannhäuser es Walkür - Svéd Sándor enekel, az Allami Operahaz Zenekarat Es Az Allami Ferfikart, H. Abendroth es Komor Vilmos vezenylik / Qualiton LP 1959 / HLP MK 1503 (HLP MK 1503) (view) Áriák - R. Wagner: Tannhäuser es Walkür - Svéd Sándor enekel, az Allami Operahaz Zenekarat Es Az Allami Ferfikart, H. Abendroth es Komor Vilmos vezenylik / Qualiton LP 1959 / HLP MK 1503 (HLP MK 1503) (view)
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    Áriák - R. Wagner: Tannhäuser es Walkür - Svéd Sándor enekel, az Allami Operahaz Zenekarat Es Az Allami Ferfikart, H. Abendroth es Komor Vilmos vezenylik / Qualiton LP 1959

    $77.77
    Áriák - R. Wagner: Tannhäuser es Walkür - Svéd Sándor enekel, az Allami Operahaz Zenekarat Es Az Allami Ferfikart, H. Abendroth es Komor Vilmos vezenylik / Qualiton LP 1959 HLP MK 1503 Product...
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  • Wagner - Parsifal; Götterdämmerung; Die Walküre - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor Jaroslav Vogel / Supraphon LP / SUF 20051 Wagner - Parsifal; Götterdämmerung; Die Walküre - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor Jaroslav Vogel / Supraphon LP / SUF 20051
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    Wagner - Parsifal; Götterdämmerung; Die Walküre - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor Jaroslav Vogel / Supraphon LP

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    Wagner - Parsifal; Götterdämmerung; Die Walküre - Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Conductor Jaroslav Vogel / Supraphon LP  SUF 20051 Product Details: Label: Supraphon Format: Vinyl, LP,...
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  • Weltstars Singen Wagner - Helga Dernesch, Elisabeth Grümmer, René Kollo, Jess Thomas, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Theo Adam / ETERNA LP 1977 Stereo / 8 26 984 Weltstars Singen Wagner - Helga Dernesch, Elisabeth Grümmer, René Kollo, Jess Thomas, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Theo Adam / ETERNA LP 1977 Stereo / 8 26 984
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    Weltstars Singen Wagner - Helga Dernesch, Elisabeth Grümmer, René Kollo, Jess Thomas, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Theo Adam / ETERNA LP 1977 Stereo / 8 26 984

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    Weltstars Singen Wagner - Helga Dernesch, Elisabeth Grümmer, René Kollo, Jess Thomas, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Theo Adam / ETERNA LP 1977 Stereo 8 26 984 Product Features Label: ETERNA Format: Vinyl, LP, Compilation Country: German...
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