Wilhelm Richard Wagner (22 May 1813 – 13 February 1883) was a German compos… Read Full Bio ↴Wilhelm Richard Wagner (22 May 1813 – 13 February 1883) was a German composer, theatre director, polemicist, and conductor who is chiefly known for his operas (or, as some of his later works were later known, "music dramas").
Unlike most opera composers, Wagner wrote both the libretto and the music for each of his stage works. Initially establishing his reputation as a composer of works in the romantic vein of Carl Maria von Weber and Giacomo Meyerbeer, Wagner revolutionised opera through his concept of the Gesamtkunstwerk ("total work of art"), by which he sought to synthesise the poetic, visual, musical and dramatic arts, with music subsidiary to drama. He described this vision in a series of essays published between 1849 and 1852. Wagner realised these ideas most fully in the first half of the four-opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung).
His compositions, particularly those of his later period, are notable for their complex textures, rich harmonies and orchestration, and the elaborate use of leitmotifs—musical phrases associated with individual characters, places, ideas, or plot elements. His advances in musical language, such as extreme chromaticism and quickly shifting tonal centres, greatly influenced the development of classical music. His Tristan und Isolde is sometimes described as marking the start of modern music.
Wagner had his own opera house built, the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, which embodied many novel design features. The Ring and Parsifal were premiered here and his most important stage works continue to be performed at the annual Bayreuth Festival, run by his descendants. His thoughts on the relative contributions of music and drama in opera were to change again, and he reintroduced some traditional forms into his last few stage works, including Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (The Mastersingers of Nuremberg).
Until his final years, Wagner's life was characterised by political exile, turbulent love affairs, poverty and repeated flight from his creditors. His controversial writings on music, drama and politics have attracted extensive comment, notably, since the late 20th century, where they express antisemitic sentiments. The effect of his ideas can be traced in many of the arts throughout the 20th century; his influence spread beyond composition into conducting, philosophy, literature, the visual arts and theatre.
Unlike most opera composers, Wagner wrote both the libretto and the music for each of his stage works. Initially establishing his reputation as a composer of works in the romantic vein of Carl Maria von Weber and Giacomo Meyerbeer, Wagner revolutionised opera through his concept of the Gesamtkunstwerk ("total work of art"), by which he sought to synthesise the poetic, visual, musical and dramatic arts, with music subsidiary to drama. He described this vision in a series of essays published between 1849 and 1852. Wagner realised these ideas most fully in the first half of the four-opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung).
His compositions, particularly those of his later period, are notable for their complex textures, rich harmonies and orchestration, and the elaborate use of leitmotifs—musical phrases associated with individual characters, places, ideas, or plot elements. His advances in musical language, such as extreme chromaticism and quickly shifting tonal centres, greatly influenced the development of classical music. His Tristan und Isolde is sometimes described as marking the start of modern music.
Wagner had his own opera house built, the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, which embodied many novel design features. The Ring and Parsifal were premiered here and his most important stage works continue to be performed at the annual Bayreuth Festival, run by his descendants. His thoughts on the relative contributions of music and drama in opera were to change again, and he reintroduced some traditional forms into his last few stage works, including Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (The Mastersingers of Nuremberg).
Until his final years, Wagner's life was characterised by political exile, turbulent love affairs, poverty and repeated flight from his creditors. His controversial writings on music, drama and politics have attracted extensive comment, notably, since the late 20th century, where they express antisemitic sentiments. The effect of his ideas can be traced in many of the arts throughout the 20th century; his influence spread beyond composition into conducting, philosophy, literature, the visual arts and theatre.
Parsifal: Prelude
Richard Wagner Lyrics
We have lyrics for these tracks by Richard Wagner:
Act III Mild und leise Wie er lächelt Wie das Auge Hold er öffnet Se…
Auf Hohem Felsen Lag Ich Träumend Erik Auf hohem Felsen lag' ich träumend, sah…
Blick ich umher in diesem edlen Kreise Wolfram Blick ich umher in diesem edlen Kreise, w…
Götterdämmerung: Act Three Mild und leise Wie er lächelt Wie das Auge Hold er öffnet Se…
Lohengrin: In Fernem Land, Unnahbar Euren Schritten LOHENGRIN (In feierlicher Verklärung vor sich Herblickend) I…
Mild und leise Mild und leise Wie er lächelt Wie das Auge Hold er öffnet Se…
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Atrux1
Such a dramatic opening! Such a meditation! Such a genius! Such a work! That guy deserved to be play every day and night.
Autumn Leaves
The brass parts are always so amazing in Wagner's works. It is sublime music.
Hexer Wolfherz
The most amazing piece of music ever written.
Ari Vestama
Yes indeed!
Mark Masters
It makes my Skeleton rejoice. I have turned my friends on to Wagner, and they are glad....they wonder why no one else has 'showed' them this music. I love the look on their faces after they 'get it'....priceless. 😎🙏😉
John Alexander Berry ("B2").
It's good....very good....but I'm more 'moved' by Wagner's ''Tristan & Isolde'' !
Javier Medina
you mean musikdrama, it's not only a piece, it's a 4 hours full opera
Sam Hughes
Wagner's preludes are always fricking fantastic
LeftRight
And Endings of acts. So good.
elektro smog
yes