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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 ‎– Die Walküre / Nilsson, Vickers, London / London Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf / Atto III / DECCA Audio CD 1996 / 444272-2 Richard Wagner ‎– Die Walküre / Nilsson, Vickers, London / London Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf / Atto III / DECCA Audio CD 1996 / 444272-2
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    Richard Wagner ‎– Die Walküre / Nilsson, Vickers, London / London Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf / Atto III / DECCA Audio CD 1996 / 444272-2

    Decca
    $89.99
    Richard Wagner ‎– Die Walküre / Nilsson, Vickers, London / London Symphony Orchestra, Erich Leinsdorf / Atto III / DECCA Audio CD 1996 / 444272-2 UPC 8014394401345   Label: Decca ‎– 444272-2 Format: CD, Album, Reissue,...
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  • Erzsebet Komlossy - Mezzo-Soprano / Gluck, Verdi, Erkel, Saint-Saens, Wagner, Musorgsky, Kodaly, Bizet / Hungaroton Classic Audio CD 2007 Stereo / HCD 32461 Erzsebet Komlossy - Mezzo-Soprano / Gluck, Verdi, Erkel, Saint-Saens, Wagner, Musorgsky, Kodaly, Bizet / Hungaroton Classic Audio CD 2007 Stereo / HCD 32461
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    Erzsebet Komlossy - Mezzo-Soprano / Gluck, Verdi, Erkel, Saint-Saens, Wagner, Musorgsky, Kodaly, Bizet / Hungaroton Classic Audio CD 2007 Stereo / HCD 32461

    Hungaroton Classic
    $45.99
    Erzsebet Komlossy - Mezzo-Soprano / Gluck, Verdi, Erkel, Saint-Saens, Wagner, Musorgsky, Kodaly, Bizet / Hungaroton Classic Audio CD 2007 Stereo / HCD32461 UPC 5991813246127   Label: Hungaroton Classic ‎– HCD 32461 Format: CD, Album,...
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  • Elysium DVD 2013 Zárt világ / Directed by Neill Blomkamp / Starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga, Diego Luna, Wagner Moura, William Fichtner (5996255738759) Elysium DVD 2013 Zárt világ / Directed by Neill Blomkamp / Starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga, Diego Luna, Wagner Moura, William Fichtner (5996255738759)
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    Elysium DVD 2013 Zárt világ / Directed by Neill Blomkamp / Starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga, Diego Luna, Wagner Moura, William Fichtner

    $9.99
    Elysium DVD 2013 Zárt világ / Directed by Neill Blomkamp / Starring: Matt Damon, Jodie Foster, Sharlto Copley, Alice Braga, Diego Luna, Wagner Moura, William Fichtner UPC 5996255738759 REGION 2 PAL DVD   MADE IN HUNGARY AUDIO:...
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  • Famous overtures - Wagner / Edition Classic Audio CD 1995 / EC 1250 Famous overtures - Wagner / Edition Classic Audio CD 1995 / EC 1250
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    Famous overtures - Wagner / Edition Classic Audio CD 1995 / EC 1250

    $9.99
    Famous overtures - Wagner / Edition Classic Audio CD 1995 / EC 1250 UPC 714151125023   Label: Edition Classic - EC 1250 Format: CD, Album Country: Germany Released: 1995 Genre: Classic       Tracklist: 1.  Overture,...
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  • Great Performances / Wagner - A Nibelung Gyürüje, Zenekari Részletek / Széll, Cleveland Orchestra / HUNGAROTON CASSETTE STEREO / MKL 12605 Great Performances / Wagner - A Nibelung Gyürüje, Zenekari Részletek / Széll, Cleveland Orchestra / HUNGAROTON CASSETTE STEREO / MKL 12605
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    Great Performances / Wagner - A Nibelung Gyürüje, Zenekari Részletek / Széll, Cleveland Orchestra / HUNGAROTON CASSETTE STEREO / MKL 12605

    Hungaroton Classic
    $33.33
    Great Performances / Wagner - A Nibelung Gyürüje, Zenekari Részletek / Széll, Cleveland Orchestra / HUNGAROTON CASSETTE STEREO MKL 12605   Label: Hungaroton ‎– MKL 12605 Series: CBS Great Performances Format:...
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  • Éva Balatoni sings Wagner Heroines / Hungarian State Opera Orchestra / Conducted by János Kovács / Parsifal Alapítvány / BR 0229 / Audio CD 2001 / Parsifal Foundation (BR 0229) Éva Balatoni sings Wagner Heroines / Hungarian State Opera Orchestra / Conducted by János Kovács / Parsifal Alapítvány / BR 0229 / Audio CD 2001 / Parsifal Foundation (BR 0229)
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    Éva Balatoni sings Wagner Heroines / Hungarian State Opera Orchestra / Conducted by János Kovács / Parsifal Alapítvány / BR 0229 / Audio CD 2001 / Parsifal Foundation

    $29.99
    Éva Balatoni sings Wagner Heroines / Hungarian State Opera Orchestra / Conducted by János Kovács / Parsifal Alapítvány BR 0229 UPC 5998133149732 Audio CD 2001  Parsifal Foundation MADE IN HUNGARY TOTAL TIME:...
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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

    $59.99
    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

    EMI Group Limited
    $29.99
    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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  • Sylvia Sass - Wagner, Wesendonk-Lieder / Tristan Und Isolde / Der Fliegende Holländer / Tannhäuser / Conducted: András Kórodi / HUNGAROTON LP STEREO - MONO / SLPX 11940 Sylvia Sass - Wagner, Wesendonk-Lieder / Tristan Und Isolde / Der Fliegende Holländer / Tannhäuser / Conducted: András Kórodi / HUNGAROTON LP STEREO - MONO / SLPX 11940
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    Sylvia Sass - Wagner, Wesendonk-Lieder / Tristan Und Isolde / Der Fliegende Holländer / Tannhäuser / Conducted: András Kórodi / HUNGAROTON LP STEREO - MONO / SLPX 11940

    $29.99
    Sylvia Sass - Wagner, Wesendonk-Lieder / Tristan Und Isolde / Der Fliegende Holländer / Tannhäuser / Conducted: András Kórodi / HUNGAROTON LP STEREO - MONO SLPX 11940   Label: Hungaroton ‎– SLPX 11940 Format:...
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  • Wagner - Walkürök Lovaglása, Gyászinduló, Wotan Búcsuja És Tűzvarázs, Lohengrin I. És III. Felvonás Előjáték, Nászkórus, Fonókórus, Zarándokkar / Svéd Sándor, Szőnyi Olga / HUNGAROTON LP / HLX 90039 Wagner - Walkürök Lovaglása, Gyászinduló, Wotan Búcsuja És Tűzvarázs, Lohengrin I. És III. Felvonás Előjáték, Nászkórus, Fonókórus, Zarándokkar / Svéd Sándor, Szőnyi Olga / HUNGAROTON LP / HLX 90039
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    Wagner - Walkürök Lovaglása, Gyászinduló, Wotan Búcsuja És Tűzvarázs, Lohengrin I. És III. Felvonás Előjáték, Nászkórus, Fonókórus, Zarándokkar / Svéd Sándor, Szőnyi Olga / HUNGAROTON LP / HLX 90039

    $29.99
    Wagner - Walkürök Lovaglása, Gyászinduló, Wotan Búcsuja És Tűzvarázs, Lohengrin I. És III. Felvonás Előjáték, Nászkórus, Fonókórus,...
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  • Wagner ‎– A Nibelung Gyürüje, Zenekari Részletek / Conducted: Széll Gyorgy / Cleveland Orchestra / HUNGAROTON LP STEREO / SLPXL 12605 Wagner ‎– A Nibelung Gyürüje, Zenekari Részletek / Conducted: Széll Gyorgy / Cleveland Orchestra / HUNGAROTON LP STEREO / SLPXL 12605
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    Wagner ‎– A Nibelung Gyürüje, Zenekari Részletek / Conducted: Széll Gyorgy / Cleveland Orchestra / HUNGAROTON LP STEREO / SLPXL 12605

    $77.77
    Wagner ‎– A Nibelung Gyürüje, Zenekari Részletek / Conducted: Széll Gyorgy / Cleveland Orchestra / HUNGAROTON LP STEREO SLPXL 12605   Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung), WWV 86, is a cycle of four...
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