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[[Image:Wagner.jpg|thumb|Richard Wagner]]
[[Image:Wagner.jpg|thumb|Richard Wagner]]
'''Richard Wagner''' (1813 - 1883) was a [[Germany|German]] [[opera]] composer whose strong popularity continued beyond his death. In [[Nazi Germany]] his works were very popular, oftentimes playing up his [[anti-semitic]] views. Most of his [[opera]]s are still in the repertoire of major opera houses, with ''Tristan und Isolde'' and the cycle ''Der Ring des Nibelungen'' being some of his most characteristic.
'''Richard Wagner''' (1813 - 1883) was without question the most popular and influential [[Germany|German]] [[opera]] composer in the second half of the 19th century, who introduced numerous innovations in operatic conventions while writing in a highly original musical style. Most of his [[opera]]s are still in the repertoire of major opera houses, with ''Tristan und Isolde'' and the four-opera cycle ''Der Ring des Nibelungen'' being some of his most characteristic.
Wagner was also a prolific writer and orator, and was keenly interested in philosophy and mythology. His preferred philosopher was [[Arthur Schopenhauer]], and he shared a stormy acquaintanceship with [[Friedrich Nietzsche]] as well. Most of his mature operas take their stories and symbology from old German and [[Norse]] myths.
==Biography==
==Biography==
Largely self-taught musically, Wagner was also well-read and wrote the [[libretto|libretti]] for most of his operas. Wagner was involved in the failed 1848 Dresden Revolution, having written political tracts in its support, and was forced to flee his native Germany for [[Switzerland]]. After spending a short while in [[Vienna]] where his extravagant financial habits forced him to flee yet again, he found an ardent patron in King [[Ludwig II]] of [[Bavaria]]. Ludwig, who was obsessed with Wagner's music and likely with Wagner himself, paid off the composer's debts and eventually built an opera house at Bayreuth specially designed for performances of Wagner's operas.
Largely self-taught musically, Wagner was also well-read and wrote the [[libretto|libretti]] for most of his operas. Wagner was involved in the failed 1849 Dresden Revolution, having written political tracts in its support, and was forced to flee his native Germany for [[Switzerland]]. After spending a short while in [[Vienna]] where his extravagant financial habits forced him to flee yet again, he found an ardent patron in King [[Ludwig II]] of [[Bavaria]]. Ludwig, who was obsessed with Wagner's music and likely with Wagner himself, paid off the composer's debts and eventually built an opera house at Bayreuth specially designed for performances of Wagner's operas.
Unique among the world's opera houses, the Bayreuth Festspielhaus has several special acoustic features designed by Wagner himself, including a hooded orchestra pit (to allow the large [[orchestra]] required in his operas to be able to play at full volume without overwhelming the singers). Since its opening in 1876, the Festspielhaus has hosted an annual festival of Wagner's operas, especially the ''Ring'' cycle, a massive undertaking of four interconnected operas traditionally performed over four evenings.
Unique among the world's opera houses, the Bayreuth Festspielhaus has several special acoustic features designed by Wagner himself, including a hooded orchestra pit (to allow the large [[orchestra]] required in his operas to be able to play at full volume without overwhelming the singers). Since its opening in 1876, the Festspielhaus has hosted an annual festival of Wagner's operas, especially the ''Ring'' cycle, a massive undertaking of four interconnected operas traditionally performed over four evenings.