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Richard Wagner

Richard Wagner of Die Meistersinger

Richard Wagner is considered by many experts as one of the leading figures of the 19th century. Disregarding his 13 operas and other numerous compositions, he influenced our perception of German culture and history more than any other. On top of that, he also is the author of almost 230 books and articles, ranging from topics such as theories of opera to politics. Besides being the inspiration for musicians and composers, Wagner even inspired artists as well. Famous German painter Ferdinand Leeke painted a portrait of one of Wagner's operas. Though plagued throughout his entire life by problems both personal and financial, Richard Wagner rose up through it all to become one of most renowned composers of German opera.
Born Wilhelm Richard Wagner on the 22nd of May, 1813, his troubles began at a very young age. His father, Friedrich Wagner, passed away from typhus just six months after his birth. Johanna Wagner, Wagner's mother, decided to move in with actor and playwright Ludwig Geyer. She married him in 1814, and moved the family from their home in Leipzig, Germany, to his home in Dresden, Germany. Geyer is believed to have played a huge part in encouraging Wagner's musical aspirations. Unfortunately, Geyer died in 1821 which forced the family to move back to Leipzig. Before Geyer's death, Young Wagner was sent to Kreuz Grammar School (Kreuzschule) in Dresden where he tried his creative hand in writing his first "work," a five-act, spoken tragedy entitled Leubald and Adelaide. It was heavily influenced by Shakespeare and Goethe. Afterwards, Wagner was captured by the musical language of the time, and was determined to get his mother to allow him to learn how to compose music. He enrolled himself at Nikolaischule, and fell first under the instruction of Christian Gottlieb Müller. That year he first heard Beethoven's 7th Symphony and then Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Beethoven became his first inspiration, followed...