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'''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.

'''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]] (30 years his junior) as well. Most of his mature operas take their stories and symbology from old German and [[Norse]] myths.

Wagner was also a prolific writer. poet, dramatist, dramatic poet, 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]] (30 years his junior) as well. Most of his mature operas take their stories and symbology from old German and [[Norse]] myths.

Wagner's posthumous legacy has long been complicated by his music's association with the [[Third Reich]], and it is well-known [[Hitler]] was a fan.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jun/21/classicalmusicandopera-bayreuth-wagner-hitler-nazis "Wagner's heir vows to lay bare her family's Nazi history"]</ref> Wagner's rabidly [[anti-semitism|anti-semitic]] views and writings have given this association verisimilitude, but the question of how great an influence his ideas were on the Nazis, and how much of this can be blamed on Wagner, has remained a controversial one in Wagner studies.

Wagner's posthumous legacy has long been complicated by his music's association with the [[Third Reich]], and it is well-known [[Hitler]] was a fan.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jun/21/classicalmusicandopera-bayreuth-wagner-hitler-nazis "Wagner's heir vows to lay bare her family's Nazi history"]</ref> Wagner's rabidly [[anti-semitism|anti-semitic]] views and writings have given this association verisimilitude, but the question of how great an influence his ideas were on the Nazis, and how much of this can be blamed on Wagner, has remained a controversial one in Wagner studies.