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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 - Der Fliegende Holländer / Marianne Schech, Franz Konwitschny, Sieglinde Wagner, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Rudolf Schock / Chor Der Deutschen Staatsoper Berlin / ETERNA 3X LP STEREO / 8 25 164-166 Richard Wagner - Der Fliegende Holländer / Marianne Schech, Franz Konwitschny, Sieglinde Wagner, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Rudolf Schock / Chor Der Deutschen Staatsoper Berlin / ETERNA 3X LP STEREO / 8 25 164-166
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    Richard Wagner - Der Fliegende Holländer / Marianne Schech, Franz Konwitschny, Sieglinde Wagner, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Rudolf Schock / Chor Der Deutschen Staatsoper Berlin / ETERNA 3X LP STEREO / 8 25 164-166

    $44.99
    Richard Wagner - Der Fliegende Holländer / Marianne Schech, Franz Konwitschny, Sieglinde Wagner, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Rudolf Schock / Chor Der Deutschen Staatsoper Berlin / ETERNA 3X LP STEREO 8 25 164-166   Label: ETERNA ‎– 8...
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  • Ben Heppner - Wagner / Staatskapelle Dresden / Conducted by Peter Schneider / Audio CD 2006 / (028947760030) Ben Heppner - Wagner / Staatskapelle Dresden / Conducted by Peter Schneider / Audio CD 2006 / (028947760030)
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    Ben Heppner - Wagner / Die Walküre, Siegfried, Götterdämmerung / Staatskapelle Dresden / Conducted by Peter Schneider / Audio CD 2006

    $48.99
    Ben Heppner - Wagner / Die Walküre, Siegfried, Götterdämmerung / Staatskapelle Dresden / Conducted by Peter Schneider  Audio CD 2006 UPC 028947760030 MADE IN THE EU TOTAL TIME: 71:01     Label: Deutsche...
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  • Schönberg - Verklärte Nacht / Wagner - Siegfried Idyll / Hindemith - Trauermusik / Conducted: Daniel Barenboim / English Chamber Orchestra / EMI ELECTROLA LP / 1C 063-00 353 Schönberg - Verklärte Nacht / Wagner - Siegfried Idyll / Hindemith - Trauermusik / Conducted: Daniel Barenboim / English Chamber Orchestra / EMI ELECTROLA LP / 1C 063-00 353
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    Schönberg - Verklärte Nacht / Wagner - Siegfried Idyll / Hindemith - Trauermusik / Conducted: Daniel Barenboim / English Chamber Orchestra / EMI ELECTROLA LP / 1C 063-00 353

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    Schönberg - Verklärte Nacht / Wagner - Siegfried Idyll / Hindemith - Trauermusik / Conducted: Daniel Barenboim / English Chamber Orchestra / EMI ELECTROLA LP / 1C 063-00 353   Label: EMI Electrola ‎– 1C 063-00 353 Format:...
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  • Paavo Järvi meets Elisabeth Leonskaja DVD 2001 / Israel Philharmonic Orchestra / Brahms, Schumann (4028462900061) Paavo Järvi meets Elisabeth Leonskaja DVD 2001 / Israel Philharmonic Orchestra / Brahms, Schumann (4028462900061)
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    Paavo Järvi meets Elisabeth Leonskaja DVD 2004 / Israel Philharmonic Orchestra / Brahms, Schumann / 5 Tone

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    Paavo Järvi meets Elisabeth Leonskaja DVD 2004 / Israel Philharmonic Orchestra / Brahms, Schumann / 5 Tone UPC 4028462900061 MADE IN GERMANY REGION 0 PAL DVD (ALL REGIONS) Audio: Dolby 2.0, Dolby 5.1 Subtitles: - Runtime: 95 minutes + 35 min...
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  • Richard Wagner - Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg / Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Catarina Ligendza, Christa Ludwig, Placido Domingo, Horst R. Laubenthal, Roland Hermann / Chor und Orchester der Deutschen Oper / Cond. Eugen Jochum / Audio CD SET - 4 CD (028941527820) Richard Wagner - Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg / Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Catarina Ligendza, Christa Ludwig, Placido Domingo, Horst R. Laubenthal, Roland Hermann / Chor und Orchester der Deutschen Oper / Cond. Eugen Jochum / Audio CD SET - 4 CD (028941527820)
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    Richard Wagner - Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg / Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Catarina Ligendza, Christa Ludwig, Placido Domingo, Horst R. Laubenthal, Roland Hermann / Chor und Orchester der Deutschen Oper / Cond. Eugen Jochum / Audio CD SET - 4 CD

    $129.99
    Richard Wagner - Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg / Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Catarina Ligendza, Christa Ludwig, Placido Domingo, Horst R. Laubenthal, Roland Hermann / Chor und Orchester der Deutschen Oper / Cond. Eugen Jochum / Audio CD SET - 4...
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  • Wagner - Chöre / Lohengrin - Götterdämmerung - Parsifal - Der Fliegende Holländer - Tannhäuser - Der Meistersinger von Nürnberg / Chor und Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele / Conducted by Wilhelm Pitz / Audio CD / 429 169-2 / Resonance (028942916920) Wagner - Chöre / Lohengrin - Götterdämmerung - Parsifal - Der Fliegende Holländer - Tannhäuser - Der Meistersinger von Nürnberg / Chor und Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele / Conducted by Wilhelm Pitz / Audio CD / 429 169-2 / Resonance (028942916920)
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    Wagner - Chöre / Lohengrin - Götterdämmerung - Parsifal - Der Fliegende Holländer - Tannhäuser - Der Meistersinger von Nürnberg / Chor und Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele / Conducted by Wilhelm Pitz / Audio CD / 429 169-2 / Resonance

    $44.99
    Wagner - Chöre (Choruses) / Lohengrin - Götterdämmerung - Parsifal - Der Fliegende Holländer - Tannhäuser - Der Meistersinger von Nürnberg / Chor und Orchester der Bayreuther Festspiele / Conducted by Wilhelm Pitz / Audio CD...
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  • Richard Wagner - Tannhäuser 2 DVD 2006 / The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet / Conducted by James Levine / Richard Cassilly, Eva Marton, Tatiana Troyanos, Bernd Weikl, John Macurdy / Directed for video by Brian Large (044007341711) Richard Wagner - Tannhäuser 2 DVD 2006 / The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet / Conducted by James Levine / Richard Cassilly, Eva Marton, Tatiana Troyanos, Bernd Weikl, John Macurdy  / Directed for video by Brian Large
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    Richard Wagner - Tannhäuser 2 DVD 2006 / The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet / Conducted by James Levine / Richard Cassilly, Eva Marton, Tatiana Troyanos, Bernd Weikl, John Macurdy / Directed for video by Brian Large

    $49.99
    Richard Wagner - Tannhäuser 2 DVD 2006 / The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chorus and Ballet / Conducted by James Levine / Richard Cassilly, Eva Marton, Tatiana Troyanos, Bernd Weikl, John Macurdy / Directed for video by Brian Large UPC...
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  • Dóra, gyere vissza by Gudrun Wagner - Hungarian translation of Dora , come back! / A  story of a teenager's quest for God
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    Dóra, gyere vissza by Gudrun Wagner - Hungarian translation of Dora , come back! / A story of a teenager's quest for God

    $55.00
    Dóra, gyere vissza by Gudrun Wagner Hungarian Translation of Dora, Come Back! – A Story of a Teenager's Quest for God Product Details / Termékleírás Format: Paperback / Kötés: Puha...
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  • Az utolsó blues DVD 2001 The last blues / Directed by Gárdos Péter / Starring: Rudolf Péter, Fullajtár Andrea, Kulka János, Agnieszka Wagner (5999544249257) Az utolsó blues DVD 2001 The last blues / Directed by Gárdos Péter / Starring: Rudolf Péter, Fullajtár Andrea, Kulka János, Agnieszka Wagner (5999544249257)
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    Az utolsó blues DVD 2001 The last blues / Directed by Gárdos Péter / Starring: Rudolf Péter, Fullajtár Andrea, Kulka János, Agnieszka Wagner

    $24.99
    Az utolsó blues DVD 2001 The last blues / Directed by Gárdos Péter / Starring: Rudolf Péter, Fullajtár Andrea, Kulka János, Agnieszka Wagner UPC 5999544249257 REGION 1 PAL DVD   MADE IN...
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  • A Dennis the Menace Christmas DVD 2007 Dennis, a komisz Karácsonya / Directed by Ron Oliver / Starring: Robert Wagner, Louise Fletcher, Maxwell Perry Cotton, Kim Schraner, Jack Noseworthy (5996514005332) A Dennis the Menace Christmas DVD 2007 Dennis, a komisz Karácsonya / Directed by Ron Oliver / Starring: Robert Wagner, Louise Fletcher, Maxwell Perry Cotton, Kim Schraner, Jack Noseworthy (5996514005332)
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    A Dennis the Menace Christmas DVD 2007 Dennis, a komisz Karácsonya / Directed by Ron Oliver / Starring: Robert Wagner, Louise Fletcher, Maxwell Perry Cotton, Kim Schraner, Jack Noseworthy

    $11.99
    A Dennis the Menace Christmas DVD 2007 Dennis, a komisz Karácsonya / Directed by Ron Oliver / Starring: Robert Wagner, Louise Fletcher, Maxwell Perry Cotton, Kim Schraner, Jack Noseworthy UPC 5996514005332 REGION 2 PAL DVD  MADE IN...
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  • Audio Archive Classics: Wagner, Berlioz, Thomas / Audio CD 2005 / Wagner - "Rienzi" - Overture, Siegfried" Act 2 Forest Murmurs, Berlioz - Overture: Benvenuto Cellini, Overture: Le Corsaire, Thomas - Overture: Mignon (5033107802623) Audio Archive Classics: Wagner, Berlioz, Thomas / Audio CD 2005 / Wagner - "Rienzi" - Overture, Siegfried" Act 2 Forest Murmurs, Berlioz - Overture: Benvenuto Cellini, Overture: Le Corsaire, Thomas - Overture: Mignon (5033107802623)
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    Audio Archive Classics: Wagner, Berlioz, Thomas / Audio CD 2005 / Wagner - "Rienzi" - Overture, Siegfried" Act 2 Forest Murmurs, Berlioz - Overture: Benvenuto Cellini, Overture: Le Corsaire, Thomas - Overture: Mignon

    $11.99
    Audio Archive Classics: Wagner, Berlioz, Thomas  Audio CD 2005  Wagner - "Rienzi" - Overture, Siegfried" Act 2 Forest Murmurs, Berlioz - Overture: Benvenuto Cellini, Overture: Le Corsaire, Thomas - Overture: Mignon   The Vienna...
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