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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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  • Emil Gilels: Live in Moscow, Vol. 5 - Tchaikovsky-Schumann / USSR State Symphony Orchestra / Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory / Live performances: 1966 (Tchaikovsky); 1976 (Schumann) / Produced by the Main Music Department / DVD (089948447191) Emil Gilels: Live in Moscow, Vol. 5 - Tchaikovsky-Schumann / USSR State Symphony Orchestra / Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory / Live performances: 1966 (Tchaikovsky); 1976 (Schumann) / Produced by the Main Music Department / DVD (089948447191)
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    Emil Gilels: Live in Moscow, Vol. 5 - Tchaikovsky-Schumann / USSR State Symphony Orchestra / Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory / Live performances: 1966 (Tchaikovsky); 1976 (Schumann) / Produced by the Main Music Department / DVD

    $69.91
    Emil Gilels: Live in Moscow, Vol. 5 - Tchaikovsky-Schumann / USSR State Symphony Orchestra / Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory / Live performances: 1966 (Tchaikovsky); 1976 (Schumann) / Produced by the Main Music Department /...
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  • Wagner: Parsifal 2 DVD Set / Opera in three acts / Libretto RICHARD WAGNER / STATE CHAPEL BERLIN STATE OPERA CHOIR / Conductor DANIEL BARENBOIM / HD recording: State Opera in the Schiller Theater, Berlin / DVD (3760115301283) Wagner: Parsifal 2 DVD Set / Opera in three acts / Libretto RICHARD WAGNER / STATE CHAPEL BERLIN STATE OPERA CHOIR / Conductor DANIEL BARENBOIM / HD recording: State Opera in the Schiller Theater, Berlin / DVD (3760115301283)
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    Wagner: Parsifal 2 DVD Set / Opera in three acts / Libretto RICHARD WAGNER / STATE CHAPEL BERLIN STATE OPERA CHOIR / Conductor DANIEL BARENBOIM / HD recording: State Opera in the Schiller Theater, Berlin / DVD

    $59.10
    Wagner: Parsifal 2 DVD Set / Opera in three acts / Libretto RICHARD WAGNER / STATE CHAPEL BERLIN STATE OPERA CHOIR / Conductor DANIEL BARENBOIM / HD recording: State Opera in the Schiller Theater, Berlin / DVD   Format:...
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  • Wagner: The Ring of the Nibelung - Adapted for Children / The tetralogy in one single evening with actors and marionettes / Salzburger Marionettentheater / Excerpts from the Solti "Ring" courtesy of Decca Music Group Limited / DVD (4280000101389) Wagner: The Ring of the Nibelung - Adapted for Children / The tetralogy in one single evening with actors and marionettes / Salzburger Marionettentheater / Excerpts from the Solti "Ring" courtesy of Decca Music Group Limited / DVD (4280000101389)
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    Wagner: The Ring of the Nibelung - Adapted for Children / The tetralogy in one single evening with actors and marionettes / Salzburger Marionettentheater / Excerpts from the Solti "Ring" courtesy of Decca Music Group Limited / DVD

    $99.00
    Wagner: The Ring of the Nibelung - Adapted for Children / The tetralogy in one single evening with actors and marionettes / Salzburger Marionettentheater / Excerpts from the Solti "Ring" courtesy of Decca Music Group Limited /...
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  • Wagner: Die Feen (THE FAIRIES) - Adapted for Children / Great romantic opera in three acts adapted for children / Al Children's Opera Tent / Stage Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera / Conductor: Kathleen Kelly / DVD (4280000101297) Wagner: Die Feen (THE FAIRIES) - Adapted for Children / Great romantic opera in three acts adapted for children / Al Children's Opera Tent / Stage Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera / Conductor: Kathleen Kelly / DVD (4280000101297)
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    Wagner: Die Feen (THE FAIRIES) - Adapted for Children

    $49.10
    Wagner: Die Feen (THE FAIRIES) - Adapted for Children / Great romantic opera in three acts adapted for children / Al Children's Opera Tent / Stage Orchestra of the Vienna State Opera / Conductor: Kathleen Kelly / DVD   Format:...
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  • Wagner: Die Walkure (The Valkyrie) 2 DVD Set / SALZBURG EASTER FESTIVAL / BERLIN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA / Conductor: SIR SIMON RATTLE / Directed for HDTV and video by DON KENT / DVD (3760115300347) Wagner: Die Walkure (The Valkyrie) 2 DVD Set / SALZBURG EASTER FESTIVAL / BERLIN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA / Conductor: SIR SIMON RATTLE / Directed for HDTV and video by DON KENT / DVD (3760115300347)
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    Wagner: Die Walkure (The Valkyrie) 2 DVD Set / SALZBURG EASTER FESTIVAL / BERLIN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA / Conductor: SIR SIMON RATTLE / Directed for HDTV and video by DON KENT / DVD

    $99.00
    Wagner: Die Walkure (The Valkyrie) 2 DVD Set / SALZBURG EASTER FESTIVAL / BERLIN PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA / Conductor: SIR SIMON RATTLE / Directed for HDTV and video by DON KENT / DVD   Format: NTSC Run time: 241...
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  • Wagner: Tannhäuser 2 DVD Set / Opera in three acts | Libretto RICHARD WAGNER / STATE CHAPEL BERLIN | STATE OPERA CHOIR / conductor DANIEL BARENBOIM / HD recording: Staatsoper im Schiller Theater, Berlin / DVD (3760115301221) Wagner: Tannhäuser 2 DVD Set / Opera in three acts | Libretto RICHARD WAGNER / STATE CHAPEL BERLIN | STATE OPERA CHOIR / conductor DANIEL BARENBOIM / HD recording: Staatsoper im Schiller Theater, Berlin / DVD (3760115301221)
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    Wagner: Tannhäuser 2 DVD Set / Opera in three acts | Libretto RICHARD WAGNER / STATE CHAPEL BERLIN | STATE OPERA CHOIR / conductor DANIEL BARENBOIM / HD recording: Staatsoper im Schiller Theater, Berlin / DVD

    $59.91
    Wagner: Tannhäuser 2 DVD Set / Opera in three acts | Libretto RICHARD WAGNER / STATE CHAPEL BERLIN | STATE OPERA CHOIR / conductor DANIEL BARENBOIM / HD recording: Staatsoper im Schiller Theater, Berlin / DVD   Format:...
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  • Herbert Von Karajan & Berliner Philharmoniker Tokyo 1957 / NHK Concert Hall - November 3rd, 1957 / RICHARD WAGNER Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Prelude / RICHARD STRAUSS Don Juan, Symphonic Poem Op. 20 / DVD (8007144336448) Herbert Von Karajan & Berliner Philharmoniker Tokyo 1957 / NHK Concert Hall - November 3rd, 1957 / RICHARD WAGNER Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Prelude / RICHARD STRAUSS Don Juan, Symphonic Poem Op. 20 / DVD (8007144336448)
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    Herbert Von Karajan & Berliner Philharmoniker Tokyo 1957 / NHK Concert Hall - November 3rd, 1957 / RICHARD WAGNER Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Prelude / RICHARD STRAUSS Don Juan, Symphonic Poem Op. 20 / DVD

    $99.00
    Herbert Von Karajan & Berliner Philharmoniker Tokyo 1957 / NHK Concert Hall - November 3rd, 1957 / RICHARD WAGNER Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Prelude / RICHARD STRAUSS Don Juan, Symphonic Poem Op. 20 /...
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  • Michaela Kaune- Richard Strauss: Vier Letzte Lieder, Orchesterlieder = Four Last Songs, Orchestral Songs / NDR Radiophilharmonie, Eiji Oue / Edel Classics Audio CD 2006 / 0017812BC Michaela Kaune- Richard Strauss: Vier Letzte Lieder, Orchesterlieder = Four Last Songs, Orchestral Songs / NDR Radiophilharmonie, Eiji Oue / Edel Classics Audio CD 2006 / 0017812BC
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    Michaela Kaune- Richard Strauss: Vier Letzte Lieder, Orchesterlieder = Four Last Songs, Orchestral Songs / NDR Radiophilharmonie, Eiji Oue / Edel Classics Audio CD 2006 / 0017812BC

    $16.91
    Michaela Kaune- Richard Strauss: Vier Letzte Lieder, Orchesterlieder = Four Last Songs, Orchestral Songs / NDR Radiophilharmonie, Eiji Oue / Edel Classics Audio CD 2006 / 0017812BC UPC 782124178123   Michaela Kaune (born 1968) is a German...
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  • Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier - Watson, Fassbaender, Popp, Ridderbusch, Kusche, Carlos Kleiber / Live Recording 13. Juli 1973 / Orfeo 3x Audio CD, Stereo 2008 / C 581 083 D Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier - Watson, Fassbaender, Popp, Ridderbusch, Kusche, Carlos Kleiber / Live Recording 13. Juli 1973 / Orfeo 3x Audio CD, Stereo 2008 / C 581 083 D
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    Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier - Watson, Fassbaender, Popp, Ridderbusch, Kusche, Carlos Kleiber / Live Recording 13. Juli 1973 / Orfeo 3x Audio CD, Stereo 2008 / C 581 083 D

    $54.91
    Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier - Watson, Fassbaender, Popp, Ridderbusch, Kusche, Carlos Kleiber / Live Recording 13. Juli 1973 / Orfeo 3x Audio CD, Stereo 2008 / C 581 083 D UPC 4011790581323   Der Rosenkavalier (The Knight of the...
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  • Richard Strauss: Don Juan; Don Quixote - André Previn, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Telarc Audio CD 1991 / CD-80262 Richard Strauss: Don Juan; Don Quixote - André Previn, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Telarc Audio CD 1991 / CD-80262
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    Richard Strauss: Don Juan; Don Quixote - André Previn, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Telarc Audio CD 1991 / CD-80262

    $69.10
    Richard Strauss: Don Juan; Don Quixote - André Previn, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra / Telarc Audio CD 1991 / CD-80262 UPC 089408026225   Total Playtime 59:30   Richard Georg Strauss (German: [ˈʁɪçaʁt ˈʃtʁaʊs];...
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  • Famous Marches - Barbirolli; Barenboim; Beecham; Bernstein; Boskovsky; Boult; Fremaux; Karajan; Malko; Martinon; Muti; Previn; Strauss / EMI Classics Audio CD 2004 Stereo / 724358610925 Famous Marches - Barbirolli; Barenboim; Beecham; Bernstein; Boskovsky; Boult; Fremaux; Karajan; Malko; Martinon; Muti; Previn; Strauss / EMI Classics Audio CD 2004 Stereo / 724358610925
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    Famous Marches - Barbirolli; Barenboim; Beecham; Bernstein; Boskovsky; Boult; Fremaux; Karajan; Malko; Martinon; Muti; Previn; Strauss / EMI Classics Audio CD 2004 Stereo / 724358610925

    $9.91
    Famous Marches - Barbirolli; Barenboim; Beecham; Bernstein; Boskovsky; Boult; Fremaux; Karajan; Malko; Martinon; Muti; Previn; Strauss / EMI Classics Audio CD 2004 Stereo UPC 724358610925   Label: EMI Classics –...
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