Date of Birth: May 22, 1813
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: February 13, 1883
Biography
Wilhelm Richard Wagner was born on May 22, 1813, in Leipzig, Germany, and he is one of the most influential composers in the history of Western music. Wagner’s work is best known for its complex textures, rich harmonies, and elaborate use of leitmotifs—musical phrases associated with particular characters or themes. He revolutionized opera through his concept of the Gesamtkunstwerk (“total work of art”), which sought to synthesize all poetic, visual, musical, and dramatic arts. Among his most renowned works are the operas “The Ring of the Nibelung,” “Tristan und Isolde,” and “Parsifal.” Wagner’s early life was marked by personal and financial struggles, but his persistence led to breakthrough successes. His works were controversial due to both their innovative nature and Wagner’s outspoken views. Despite the controversies, his influence on music, literature, and even philosophy is undeniable. Wagner married twice; first to Minna Planer in 1836, and after her death, to Cosima Liszt, the daughter of the famous composer Franz Liszt, in 1870. He spent his last years in Bayreuth, where he established the Bayreuth Festival to showcase his own works. Wagner passed away on February 13, 1883, in Venice, Italy.
5 Interesting Facts about Richard Wagner
1. Wagner was exiled from Germany for participating in the Dresden uprising in 1849.
2. He was an ardent follower of the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer and incorporated many of Schopenhauer’s ideas into his later works.
3. Wagner designed and oversaw the construction of the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, a theatre specifically for the performance of his own works.
4. His opera cycle “The Ring of the Nibelung” took over 26 years to complete and is known for its extraordinary scale and complexity.
5. Wagner’s music has been controversial for its use by the Nazi regime, even though he died long before they came to power.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Richard Wagner
1. “Music is the language of the soul.”
2. “I write music with an exclamation point!”
3. “Imagination creates reality.”
4. “I am being haunted by the idea that my ideas are harming me.”
5. “The purpose of art: to make the invisible visible through reality.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
The highest net worth achieved by Richard Wagner during his lifetime is not precisely documented, but he was known to have been financially supported by King Ludwig II of Bavaria, which allowed him considerable financial freedom to complete his works.
Children
Richard Wagner had three children with Cosima Liszt: 1. Isolde Wagner (1865–1919) 2. Eva Wagner (1867–1942) 3. Siegfried Wagner (1869–1930), who also became a notable composer and conductor.
Relevant Links
1. [Richard Wagner on Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Richard-Wagner
2. [Richard Wagner on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Wagner
3. [Wagner’s Operas on Wagner Opera](http://www.wagneroperas.com/
4. [The Bayreuth Festival](https://www.bayreuther-festspiele.de/en/
5. [Wagner’s Family Tree](https://www.geni.com/people/Richard-Wagner/6000000003240844231