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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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  • Strauss: Dirigiert Strauss - Also Sprach Zarathustra, Wiener Philharmoniker / ETERNA LP Stereo 1973 / 8 26 207 Strauss: Dirigiert Strauss - Also Sprach Zarathustra, Wiener Philharmoniker / ETERNA LP Stereo 1973 / 8 26 207
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    Strauss: Dirigiert Strauss - Also Sprach Zarathustra, Wiener Philharmoniker / ETERNA LP Stereo 1973 / 8 26 207

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    Strauss: Dirigiert Strauss - Also Sprach Zarathustra, Wiener Philharmoniker / ETERNA LP Stereo 1973 8 26 207   Label: ETERNA – 8 26 207 Format: Vinyl, LP, Album Country: German Democratic Republic...
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  • Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier - Rita Streich, Irmgard Seefried, Marianne Schech, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Kurt Böhme, u. a., Staatskapelle Dresden, Dirigent Karl Böhm / ETERNA LP Stereo 1976 / 8 25 151 Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier - Rita Streich, Irmgard Seefried, Marianne Schech, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Kurt Böhme, u. a., Staatskapelle Dresden, Dirigent Karl Böhm / ETERNA LP Stereo 1976 / 8 25 151
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    Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier - Rita Streich, Irmgard Seefried, Marianne Schech, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Kurt Böhme, u. a., Staatskapelle Dresden, Dirigent Karl Böhm / ETERNA LP Stereo 1976 / 8 25 151

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    Richard Strauss: Der Rosenkavalier - Rita Streich, Irmgard Seefried, Marianne Schech, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Kurt Böhme, u. a., Staatskapelle Dresden, Dirigent Karl Böhm / ETERNA LP Stereo1976 8 25 151   Label: ETERNA – 8...
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  • Richard Wagner: Siegfried - René Kollo, Theo Adam, Jeannine Altmeyer, Peter Schreier, Siegmund Nimsgern, Matti Salminen, Ortrun Wenkel, Norma Sharp, Staatskapelle Dresden, Marek Janowski / ETERNA 5x LP, Box Set, Stereo / 8 27 590-594 Richard Wagner: Siegfried - René Kollo, Theo Adam, Jeannine Altmeyer, Peter Schreier, Siegmund Nimsgern, Matti Salminen, Ortrun Wenkel, Norma Sharp, Staatskapelle Dresden, Marek Janowski / ETERNA 5x LP, Box Set, Stereo / 8 27 590-594
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    Richard Wagner: Siegfried - René Kollo, Theo Adam, Jeannine Altmeyer, Peter Schreier, Siegmund Nimsgern, Matti Salminen, Ortrun Wenkel, Norma Sharp, Staatskapelle Dresden, Marek Janowski / ETERNA 5x LP, Box Set, Stereo / 8 27 590-594

    $77.77
    Richard Wagner: Siegfried - René Kollo, Theo Adam, Jeannine Altmeyer, Peter Schreier, Siegmund Nimsgern, Matti Salminen, Ortrun Wenkel, Norma Sharp, Staatskapelle Dresden, Marek Janowski / ETERNA 5x LP, Box Set,...
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  • Richard Wagner: Mistři Pěvci Norimberští - Theo Adam, Helen Donath, Peter Schreier, Rene Kollo, Karl Ridderbusch, Geraint Evans, Drazdenska statni kapela, Ridi Herbert Von Karajan / Supraphon 5x LP, Box Set, Stereo / 1 12 1561-65 Richard Wagner: Mistři Pěvci Norimberští - Theo Adam, Helen Donath, Peter Schreier, Rene Kollo, Karl Ridderbusch, Geraint Evans, Drazdenska statni kapela, Ridi Herbert Von Karajan / Supraphon 5x LP, Box Set, Stereo / 1 12 1561-65
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    Richard Wagner: Mistři Pěvci Norimberští - Theo Adam, Helen Donath, Peter Schreier, Rene Kollo, Karl Ridderbusch, Geraint Evans, Drazdenska statni kapela, Ridi Herbert Von Karajan / Supraphon 5x LP, Box Set, Stereo / 1 12 1561-65

    $77.77
    Richard Wagner: Mistři Pěvci Norimberští - Theo Adam, Helen Donath, Peter Schreier, Rene Kollo, Karl Ridderbusch, Geraint Evans, Drazdenska statni kapela, Ridi Herbert Von Karajan / Supraphon 5x LP, Box Set, Stereo 1 12...
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  • Wagner's Vision Bayreuth Heritage / Document Records 50x Audio CD, Box Set / 233618 Wagner's Vision Bayreuth Heritage / Document Records 50x Audio CD, Box Set / 233618
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    Wagner's Vision Bayreuth Heritage / Document Records 50x Audio CD, Box Set / 233618

    $199.91
    Wagner's Vision Bayreuth Heritage / Document Records 50x Audio CD, Box Set / 233618 UPC 885150336182   !!! Condition of SET is USED - LIKE NEW !!!   Actually it it BRAND NEW in shrinkwrap, just has a ding on one of the corners of the...
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  • Wagner - Die Walkure 2 DVD Set Stuttgart State Opera Orchestra Conductor Zagrosek, Lothar Directed for stage by Christoph Nel Recorded live at the Staatsoper Stuttgart, 29 September 2002 & 2 January 2003 DVD (880242520784) Wagner - Die Walkure 2 DVD Set Stuttgart State Opera Orchestra Conductor Zagrosek, Lothar Directed for stage by Christoph Nel Recorded live at the Staatsoper Stuttgart, 29 September 2002 & 2 January 2003 DVD (880242520784)
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    Wagner - Die Walkure 2 DVD Set / Stuttgart State Opera Orchestra / Conductor: Zagrosek, Lothar / Directed for stage by Christoph Nel / Recorded live at the Staatsoper Stuttgart, 29 September 2002 & 2 January 2003 / DVD

    $21.91
    Wagner - Die Walkure 2 DVD Set / Stuttgart State Opera Orchestra / Conductor: Zagrosek, Lothar / Directed for stage by Christoph Nel / Recorded live at the Staatsoper Stuttgart, 29 September 2002 & 2 January 2003 /...
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  • Staatsoper Stuttgart - Wagner 2 DVD Set Stuttgart State Opera Orchestra Conductor Zagrosek, Lothar Stage Director Morabito, Sergio Recorded live at the Staatsoper Stuttgart, 1 October 2002 & 5 January 2003 DVD (880242520883) Staatsoper Stuttgart - Wagner 2 DVD Set Stuttgart State Opera Orchestra Conductor Zagrosek, Lothar Stage Director Morabito, Sergio Recorded live at the Staatsoper Stuttgart, 1 October 2002 & 5 January 2003 DVD (880242520883)
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    Staatsoper Stuttgart - Wagner 2 DVD Set / Stuttgart State Opera Orchestra / Conductor: Zagrosek, Lothar / Stage Director: Morabito, Sergio / Recorded live at the Staatsoper Stuttgart, 1 October 2002 & 5 January 2003 / DVD

    $33.33
    Staatsoper Stuttgart - Wagner 2 DVD Set / Stuttgart State Opera Orchestra / Conductor: Zagrosek, Lothar / Stage Director: Morabito, Sergio / Recorded live at the Staatsoper Stuttgart, 1 October 2002 & 5 January 2003 /...
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  • WAGNER, R. Gotterdammerung (Staatsoper Stuttgart, 2003) 2 DVD Set Stuttgart State Opera Chorus Stuttgart State Opera Orchestra Conductor Zagrosek, Lothar Recorded live at the Staatsoper Stuttgart, 3 October 2002 & 12 January 2003 DVD (880242520982) WAGNER, R. Gotterdammerung (Staatsoper Stuttgart, 2003) 2 DVD Set Stuttgart State Opera Chorus Stuttgart State Opera Orchestra Conductor Zagrosek, Lothar Recorded live at the Staatsoper Stuttgart, 3 October 2002 & 12 January 2003 DVD (880242520982)
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    WAGNER, R.: Gotterdammerung (Staatsoper Stuttgart, 2003) 2 DVD Set / Stuttgart State Opera Chorus / Stuttgart State Opera Orchestra / Conductor: Zagrosek, Lothar / Recorded live at the Staatsoper Stuttgart, 3 October 2002 & 12 January 2003 / DVD

    $17.91
    WAGNER, R.: Gotterdammerung (Staatsoper Stuttgart, 2003) 2 DVD Set / Stuttgart State Opera Chorus / Stuttgart State Opera Orchestra / Conductor: Zagrosek, Lothar / Recorded live at the Staatsoper Stuttgart, 3 October 2002...
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  • Discovering Masterpieces of Classical Music Robert Schumann Concerto for Piano and Orchestra Martha Argerich piano Gewandhausorchester Leipzig Conductor Riccardo Chailly Recorded live at the Leipzig Gewandhaus, 1-2 June 2006 DVD (880242560681) Discovering Masterpieces of Classical Music Robert Schumann Concerto for Piano and Orchestra Martha Argerich piano Gewandhausorchester Leipzig Conductor Riccardo Chailly Recorded live at the Leipzig Gewandhaus, 1-2 June 2006 DVD (880242560681)
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    Discovering Masterpieces of Classical Music / Robert Schumann: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra / Martha Argerich piano / Gewandhausorchester Leipzig / Conductor: Riccardo Chailly / Recorded live at the Leipzig Gewandhaus, 1-2 June 2006 / DVD

    $19.91
    Discovering Masterpieces of Classical Music / Robert Schumann: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra / Martha Argerich piano / Gewandhausorchester Leipzig / Conductor: Riccardo Chailly / Recorded live at the Leipzig Gewandhaus,...
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  • Richard Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie - Staatskapelle Dresden, Rudolf Kempe / ETERNA LP Stereo 1974 / 8 26 440 Richard Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie - Staatskapelle Dresden, Rudolf Kempe / ETERNA LP Stereo 1974 / 8 26 440
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    Richard Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie - Staatskapelle Dresden, Rudolf Kempe / ETERNA LP Stereo 1974 / 8 26 440

    $77.77
    Richard Strauss: Eine Alpensinfonie - Staatskapelle Dresden, Rudolf Kempe / ETERNA LP Stereo 1974 8 26 440   Label: ETERNA – 8 26 440 Format: Vinyl, LP, Stereo Country: German Democratic Republic...
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  • Richard Strauss - Burleske Für Klavier Und Orchester D-moll; Konzert Für Violine Und Orchester D-moll Op. 8 - Malcolm Frager (klavier), Ulf Hoelscher (violine) / Das Instrumentalwerk / ETERNA LP Stereo 1976 / 8 26 853 Richard Strauss - Burleske Für Klavier Und Orchester D-moll; Konzert Für Violine Und Orchester D-moll Op. 8 - Malcolm Frager (klavier), Ulf Hoelscher (violine) / Das Instrumentalwerk / ETERNA LP Stereo 1976 / 8 26 853
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    Richard Strauss - Burleske Für Klavier Und Orchester D-moll; Konzert Für Violine Und Orchester D-moll Op. 8 - Malcolm Frager (klavier), Ulf Hoelscher (violine) / Das Instrumentalwerk / ETERNA LP Stereo 1976 / 8 26 853

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    Richard Strauss - Burleske Für Klavier Und Orchester D-moll; Konzert Für Violine Und Orchester D-moll Op. 8 - Malcolm Frager (klavier), Ulf Hoelscher (violine) / Das Instrumentalwerk / ETERNA LP Stereo 1976 8 26 853   Label: ETERNA...
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  • Richard Strauss - Konzert Für Oboe Und Kleines Orchester; Duett-Concertino Für Klarinette Und Fagott Mit Streichorchester - Manfred Clement (oboe), Manfred Weise (klarinette), Wolfgang Liebscher (fagott) / ETERNA LP Stereo 1976 / 8 26 855 Richard Strauss - Konzert Für Oboe Und Kleines Orchester; Duett-Concertino Für Klarinette Und Fagott Mit Streichorchester - Manfred Clement (oboe), Manfred Weise (klarinette), Wolfgang Liebscher (fagott) / ETERNA LP Stereo 1976 / 8 26 855
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    Richard Strauss - Konzert Für Oboe Und Kleines Orchester; Duett-Concertino Für Klarinette Und Fagott Mit Streichorchester - Manfred Clement (oboe), Manfred Weise (klarinette), Wolfgang Liebscher (fagott) / ETERNA LP Stereo 1976 / 8 26 855

    $77.77
    Richard Strauss - Konzert Für Oboe Und Kleines Orchester; Duett-Concertino Für Klarinette Und Fagott Mit Streichorchester - Manfred Clement (oboe), Manfred Weise (klarinette), Wolfgang Liebscher (fagott) / ETERNA LP Stereo 1976 8 26...
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