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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: Gotterdammerung / Decca Audio CD 2012 / Wagner: Götterdämmerung / Wolfgang Windgassen (028947834823) Wagner: Gotterdammerung / Decca Audio CD 2012 / Wagner: Götterdämmerung / Wolfgang Windgassen (028947834823)
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    Wagner: Gotterdammerung / Decca Audio CD 2012 / Wagner: Götterdämmerung / Wolfgang Windgassen / STEWART / NILSSON

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    Wagner: Gotterdammerung / Decca Audio CD 2012 Wagner: Götterdämmerung  SUNG IN GERMAN  Play Time:  248:33 UPC 028947834823   Batch two of Decca's Opera Series, reissuing many of the greatest opera recordings of the...
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  • Fonográf – „Na Mi Újság Wágner Úr?” / Mega Audio CD 1994 / HCD 17489 (94/M-095) Fonográf – „Na Mi Újság Wágner Úr?” / Mega Audio CD 1994 / HCD 17489 (94/M-095)
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    Fonográf – „Na Mi Újság Wágner Úr?” / Mega Audio CD 1994 / HCD 17489 (94/M-095)

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    Fonográf – „Na Mi Újság Wágner Úr?” / Mega Audio CD 1994 / HCD17489 (94/M-095) UPC 5991811748920  Made in Hungary   A Fonográf műhelyében gőzerővel folyik a munka. 1975-re...
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  •  Richard Wagner, Birgit Nilsson, Wolfgang Windgassen, Christa Ludwig, Martti Talvela, Eberhard Waechter, Karl Böhm – Tristan Und Isolde - Bayreuther Festspiele 1966  Deutsche Grammophon Audio CD 1966  Richard Wagner, Birgit Nilsson, Wolfgang Windgassen, Christa Ludwig, Martti Talvela, Eberhard Waechter, Karl Böhm – Tristan Und Isolde - Bayreuther Festspiele 1966  Deutsche Grammophon Audio CD 1966
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    Richard Wagner, Birgit Nilsson, Wolfgang Windgassen, Christa Ludwig, Martti Talvela, Eberhard Waechter, Karl Böhm – Tristan Und Isolde

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    Richard Wagner, Birgit Nilsson, Wolfgang Windgassen, Christa Ludwig, Martti Talvela, Eberhard Waechter, Karl Böhm – Tristan Und Isolde - Bayreuther Festspiele 1966 / Deutsche Grammophon Audio CD 1966 UPC 028944977226  Total Playtime 3...
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  • Richard Wagner der fliegende hollander  Brilliant classics Audio CD 2013 Richard Wagner der fliegende hollander  Brilliant classics Audio CD 2013
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    Richard Wagner der fliegende hollander / Brilliant classics Audio CD 2013

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      Richard Wagner der fliegende hollander / Brilliant classics Audio CD 2013 UPC 5028421946641   Tracklist: Daland a Norwegian sea captain Senta, daland's daughter Erik a huntsman Mary, Senta's nurse Daland's steersman The...
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  • Das Rheingold - Richard Wagner, The Rhinegold / Gesamtaufnahme; Complete Recording; Badische Staatskapelle; Gunther Neuhold / TIM Cz 2x Audio CD / 205201-304 Das Rheingold - Richard Wagner, The Rhinegold / Gesamtaufnahme; Complete Recording; Badische Staatskapelle; Gunther Neuhold / TIM Cz 2x Audio CD / 205201-304
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    Das Rheingold - Richard Wagner, The Rhinegold / Gesamtaufnahme; Complete Recording; Badische Staatskapelle; Gunther Neuhold / TIM Cz 2x Audio CD / 205201-304

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    Das Rheingold - Richard Wagner, The Rhinegold / Gesamtaufnahme; Complete Recording; Badische Staatskapelle; Gunther Neuhold / TIM Cz 2x Audio CD / 205201-304 UPC 4011222052018   Das Rheingold; The Rhinegold), WWV 86A, is the first of the four...
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  • André Cluytens – Wagner Bayreuth Live / Complete Recordings: Lohengrin, Tannhäuser, Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg / The Mastersingers Of Nuremberg / Documents 10x Audio CD, Box Set / 600201 André Cluytens – Wagner Bayreuth Live / Complete Recordings: Lohengrin, Tannhäuser, Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg / The Mastersingers Of Nuremberg / Documents 10x Audio CD, Box Set / 600201
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    André Cluytens – Wagner Bayreuth Live / Complete Recordings: Lohengrin, Tannhäuser, Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg / The Mastersingers Of Nuremberg / Documents 10x Audio CD, Box Set / 600201

    $39.91
    André Cluytens – Wagner Bayreuth Live / Complete Recordings: Lohengrin, Tannhäuser, Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg / The Mastersingers Of Nuremberg / Documents 10x Audio CD, Box Set / 600201 UPC 4053796002013   André...
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  • Wagner - Bailey, Kollo, Bode, Hamari, Weikl, Moll, Wiener Philharmoniker, Sir Georg Solti – Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg / Decca 2005 Wagner - Bailey, Kollo, Bode, Hamari, Weikl, Moll, Wiener Philharmoniker, Sir Georg Solti – Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg / Decca 2005
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    Wagner - Bailey, Kollo, Bode, Hamari, Weikl, Moll, Wiener Philharmoniker, Sir Georg Solti – Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg / Decca 2005

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    Wagner - Bailey, Kollo, Bode, Hamari, Weikl, Moll, Wiener Philharmoniker, Sir Georg Solti – Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg UPC 028947566809   Made in UK Realeased 7 mar...
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  • Kaufmann - Wagner / Orchester Der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Runnicles / Decca Audio CD 2013 / 478 5189 Kaufmann - Wagner / Orchester Der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Runnicles / Decca Audio CD 2013 / 478 5189
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    Kaufmann - Wagner / Orchester Der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Runnicles / Decca Audio CD 2013 / 478 5189

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    Kaufmann - Wagner / Orchester Der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Runnicles / Decca Audio CD 2013 / 478 5189 UPC 028947851899   Jonas Kaufmann (born 10 July 1969) is a German operatic tenor. He is best known for the versatility of his repertoire,...
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  • Wagner - Orchestral Music From Operas / Tannhauser; Die Walküre; Tristan Und Isolde; Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg; Götterdammrrung; Parsifal / Budapest Symphony Orchestra, György Lehel / Hungaroton Classic Audio CD 1999 Stereo / HRC1050 Wagner - Orchestral Music From Operas / Tannhauser; Die Walküre; Tristan Und Isolde; Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg; Götterdammrrung; Parsifal / Budapest Symphony Orchestra, György Lehel / Hungaroton Classic Audio CD 1999 Stereo / HRC1050
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    Wagner - Orchestral Music From Operas / Tannhauser; Die Walküre; Tristan Und Isolde; Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg; Götterdammrrung; Parsifal / Budapest Symphony Orchestra, György Lehel / Hungaroton Classic Audio CD 1999 Stereo / HRC1050

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    Wagner - Orchestral Music From Operas / Tannhauser; Die Walküre; Tristan Und Isolde; Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg; Götterdammrrung; Parsifal / Budapest Symphony Orchestra, György Lehel / Hungaroton Classic Audio CD 1999 Stereo /...
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  • Wagner - The Great Operas From The Bayreuth Festival / Der Ring; Des Nibelungen; Der Fliegende Holländer; Tannhäuser; Lohengrin; Tristan Und Isolde; Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg; Parsifal / Decca 33x Audio CD, Box Set 2008 / 478 0279 Wagner - The Great Operas From The Bayreuth Festival / Der Ring; Des Nibelungen; Der Fliegende Holländer; Tannhäuser; Lohengrin; Tristan Und Isolde; Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg; Parsifal / Decca 33x Audio CD, Box Set 2008 / 478 0279
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    Wagner - The Great Operas From The Bayreuth Festival / Der Ring; Des Nibelungen; Der Fliegende Holländer; Tannhäuser; Lohengrin; Tristan Und Isolde; Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg; Parsifal / Decca 33x Audio CD, Box Set 2008 / 478 0279

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    Wagner - The Great Operas From The Bayreuth Festival / Der Ring; Des Nibelungen; Der Fliegende Holländer; Tannhäuser; Lohengrin; Tristan Und Isolde; Die Meistersinger Von Nürnberg; Parsifal / Decca 33x Audio CD, Box Set 2008 / 478...
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  • Eva Marton, soprano Schoenberg Erwartung Op. 17  Wagner Wesendonck Lieder; Tristan und Isolde  CD Audio 1998 (5991813174826 Eva Marton, soprano Schoenberg Erwartung Op. 17  Wagner Wesendonck Lieder; Tristan und Isolde  CD Audio 1998 (5991813174826
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    Eva Marton, soprano: Schoenberg: Erwartung Op. 17 / Wagner: Wesendonck Lieder; Tristan und Isolde / CD Audio 1998

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    Eva Marton, soprano: Schoenberg: Erwartung Op. 17 / Wagner: Wesendonck Lieder; Tristan und Isolde / CD Audio 1998 UPC 5991813174826  Total Playtime 68:59 Made in EU   !!! Condition of CD is USED - VERY GOOD !!!  We also have one...
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  • Wagner - Overtures Preludes / Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan / EMI Classics DVD Audio CD 2001 / 724349239791 Wagner - Overtures Preludes / Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan / EMI Classics DVD Audio CD 2001 / 724349239791
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    Wagner - Overtures Preludes / Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan / EMI Classics DVD Audio CD 2001 / 724349239791

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    Wagner - Overtures Preludes / Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan / EMI Classics DVD Audio CD 2001 UPC 724349239791 DISC FORMAT:DVD-10 (double-sided) TOTAL RUNNING TIME 77 min !!! Condition of DISC is Used - Very Good !!!   Wilhelm...
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