Richard Wagner - Bio, Age, Chinese Zodiac Sign & Timeline
| Born | May 22, 1813 |
|---|---|
| Died | February 13, 1883 (age 69) |
| Birthplace | Leipzig, Kingdom of Saxony (now Germany) |
| Zodiac Sign | Gemini |
| Chinese Zodiac | Rooster |
| Known For | Revolutionary German composer renowned for operas such as 'The Ring Cycle', 'Tristan und Isolde', and developing the leitmotif technique. |
Intro
Richard Wagner was a German composer, theatre director, and conductor chiefly known for his operas (or 'music dramas'). He revolutionized Western music through his ambitious use of leitmotifs, expanded harmonies, and innovative orchestration. Wagner's best-known works include the monumental four-opera cycle 'Der Ring des Nibelungen', 'Tristan und Isolde', 'Parsifal', and 'Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg'. His career and aesthetic ideals deeply influenced late 19th-century music and culture, though his legacy is also controversial due to his anti-Semitic writings and later appropriations of his music.
Early Life & Background
Richard Wagner was born into a family involved in the theatrical world. After his father's early death, his mother remarried Ludwig Geyer, an actor and playwright, who influenced Wagner's early interest in the arts. Largely self-educated, Wagner attended the St. Thomas School in Leipzig and began composing at a young age. He studied music formally at the University of Leipzig but developed much of his talent independently.
Career Highlights
- Composed his first symphony at age 19.
- Served as music director in Magdeburg (1834–1836), Königsberg (1836), and Riga (1837–1839).
- Wrote famous operas including 'The Flying Dutchman' (1843), 'Tannhäuser' (1845), 'Lohengrin' (1850), and the epic cycle 'Der Ring des Nibelungen'.
- Fled to Switzerland following involvement in the 1849 Dresden uprising.
- Pioneered the use of leitmotif and expanded musical language in opera.
- Oversaw the construction of the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, dedicated to his works.
Trivia
- Wagner wrote his own libretti for all his operas.
- The Bayreuth Festival, dedicated exclusively to his operas, is still held annually.
- Wagner's music was later associated controversially with German nationalism and used by the Nazi regime, though he died decades before their rise.
FAQs
People also ask
When was Richard Wagner born?
Richard Wagner was born the 22 May 1813.
Where is Richard Wagner from?
Leipzig, Kingdom of Saxony (now Germany).
On His Birth-Day
About May 22nd, 1813, in brief:
- Day of the week: May 22nd, 1813 was a Saturday
- Zodiac Sign: Gemini (in western zodiac), Rooster (in Chinese zodiac)
- Moon Phase: Last Quarter