Richard Wagner

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Richard Wagner

• (1813-1883)

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Biographical Sketch

• Born in Leipzig, Germany
• Youngest of nine children
• Not particulary interested in music as a child
• Age 16 Entered Leipzig University to study music
• Age 19-24 Conducted opera and theatrical
  companies
• Unsuccessful
• Unreliable and irresponsible
• First wife dies in 1836 Remarries to Liszts
  daughter

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Biographical Sketch

• Achieved success in Germany with his opera
  Rienzi. Writes opera full-time
• At first, Wagner funds the production of his
  operas
• Build theater in Bayreuth Started Wagner
  societies
• Writes many books about conducting, composition,
  and philosophy
• Described as vain, ambitious, uncompromising, and
  obnoxious
• Dies of a heart attack in Venice in 1883

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Wagners Musical Legacy

• Wagner wrote huge, dramatic operas
• Based on German folklore and legend
• Wrote his own libretto
• Wagners style never copied by other composers
• Called them music dramas
• Two characteristics
• Endless melody
• Leitmotiv (or motif)

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The Leitmotiv
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Lohengrin

• Wagners most popular opera
• Based on a group of legends known as The Knight
  of the Swan
• First produced by Liszt
• Over four hours long!