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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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  • Wagner Parsifal  ROYAL OPERA CHORUS  ORCHESTRA OF THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE  ANTONIO PAPPANO (809478011583) Wagner Parsifal  ROYAL OPERA CHORUS  ORCHESTRA OF THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE  ANTONIO PAPPANO (809478011583)
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    Wagner: Parsifal / ROYAL OPERA CHORUS / ORCHESTRA OF THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE / ANTONIO PAPPANO

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      Wagner: Parsifal / ROYAL OPERA CHORUS / ORCHESTRA OF THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE / ANTONIO PAPPANO UPC: 809478011583 Total Play Time is 270 Minutes   Aspect Ratio: ‎ 1.78:1 MPAA rating:  Unrated...
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  • Dvořák: Cello Concerto, Richard Strauss: Don Quixote - Mischa Maisky, Berliner Philharmoniker, Zubin Mehta / Deutsche Grammophon Audio CD 2003 / 474 780-2 Dvořák: Cello Concerto, Richard Strauss: Don Quixote - Mischa Maisky, Berliner Philharmoniker, Zubin Mehta / Deutsche Grammophon Audio CD 2003 / 474 780-2
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    Dvořák: Cello Concerto, Richard Strauss: Don Quixote - Mischa Maisky, Berliner Philharmoniker, Zubin Mehta / Deutsche Grammophon Audio CD 2003 / 474 780-2

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      Dvořák: Cello Concerto, Richard Strauss: Don Quixote - Mischa Maisky, Berliner Philharmoniker, Zubin Mehta / Deutsche Grammophon Audio CD 2003 / 474 780-2 UPC 828765241328   The Cello Concerto in B minor, Op. 104, B...
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  • Wagner, Böhm, Bayreuther Festspiele - Ring / Philips Classics 14x Audio CD, Box Set / 446 057-2 Wagner, Böhm, Bayreuther Festspiele - Ring / Philips Classics 14x Audio CD, Box Set / 446 057-2
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    Wagner, Böhm, Bayreuther Festspiele - Ring / Philips Classics 14x Audio CD, Box Set / 446 057-2

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    Wagner, Böhm, Bayreuther Festspiele - Ring / Philips Classics 14x Audio CD, Box Set / 446 057-2  UPC 028944605723 ADD Made in Germany  Total Play Time 13 hours 39 minutes 12 seconds   !!! USED LIKE NEW !!!  As pictured...
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  • Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Kirsten Flagstad, Maria Jeritza, Karin Branzell, Emmy Destinn, Tiana Lemnitz, u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205658-303 Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Kirsten Flagstad, Maria Jeritza, Karin Branzell, Emmy Destinn, Tiana Lemnitz, u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205658-303
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    Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Kirsten Flagstad, Maria Jeritza, Karin Branzell, Emmy Destinn, Tiana Lemnitz, u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205658-303

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      Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Kirsten Flagstad, Maria Jeritza, Karin Branzell, Emmy Destinn, Tiana Lemnitz, u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205658-303 UPC 4011222056580   Label: History – 205658-303 Format: 2...
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  • Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Frida Leider, Margarete Baumer, Johanna Gadski, Helen Traubel, Germain Lubin, u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205659-303 Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Frida Leider, Margarete Baumer, Johanna Gadski, Helen Traubel, Germain Lubin, u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205659-303
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    Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Frida Leider, Margarete Baumer, Johanna Gadski, Helen Traubel, Germain Lubin, u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205659-303

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      Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Frida Leider, Margarete Baumer, Johanna Gadski, Helen Traubel, Germain Lubin, u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205659-303 UPC 4011222056597   Wilhelm Richard...
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  • Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Lotte Lehmann, Helene Wilbrunn, Maria Callas, Lauritz Melchior, Emanuel List u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205660-303 Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Lotte Lehmann, Helene Wilbrunn, Maria Callas, Lauritz Melchior, Emanuel List u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205660-303
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    Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Lotte Lehmann, Helene Wilbrunn, Maria Callas, Lauritz Melchior, Emanuel List u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205660-303

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      Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Lotte Lehmann, Helene Wilbrunn, Maria Callas, Lauritz Melchior, Emanuel List u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205660-303 UPC 4011222056603   Label: History – 205660-303 Format: 2x...
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  • Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Alexander Kipnis, Hans Hotter, Carl Martin Oehmann, Friedrich Schorr, u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205661-303 Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Alexander Kipnis, Hans Hotter, Carl Martin Oehmann, Friedrich Schorr, u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205661-303
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    Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Alexander Kipnis, Hans Hotter, Carl Martin Oehmann, Friedrich Schorr, u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205661-303

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      Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Alexander Kipnis, Hans Hotter, Carl Martin Oehmann, Friedrich Schorr, u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205661-303 UPC 4011222056610   Label: History – 205661-303 Format: 2x CD,...
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  • Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Max Lorenz, Ivar Andresen, Hermann Jadlowker, Ludwig Weber, u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205662-303 Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Max Lorenz, Ivar Andresen, Hermann Jadlowker, Ludwig Weber, u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205662-303
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    Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Max Lorenz, Ivar Andresen, Hermann Jadlowker, Ludwig Weber, u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205662-303

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        Great Singers Sing: Wagner - Max Lorenz, Ivar Andresen, Hermann Jadlowker, Ludwig Weber, u.a./a.m.o. / History 2x Audio CD 2001 / 205662-303 UPC 4011222056627   Label: History – 205662-303 Format: 2x CD,...
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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

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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 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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