Richard Wagner
Country of origin:
Germany
Birthday:
May 22, 1813
Date of death:
February 13, 1883
Upcoming Performances
Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf Wartburg
Conductor: Graeme Jenkins
Orchestra: Orquestra Sinfónica Portuguesa
April 23, 2026 |
Lisboa (Portugal) , Centro Cultural Belém
About Richard Wagner
The childhood of Richard Wagner (born on 22 May 1813) was divided between Dresden and Leipzig, where he had his first composition lessons in 1831/32 from Christian Theodor Weinlig, cantor at the Thomasschule. In 1833 he became chorus master at the Würzburg theatre. Later he held brief appointments as music director at theatres in Bad Lauchstädt, Magdeburg, and Königsberg, where he married the actress Minna Planer in 1836.
A conducting engagement took him to Riga in 1837, but in 1839 Wagner and Minna left Riga and his creditors under cover of night, heading for Paris over the stormy Baltic Sea. There he remained for three hard years, completing Rienzi (1840). His years in Paris turned into a bitterly disappointing experience. He eked out something less than a living by doing musical hack-work and writing articles. His first success with Rienzi in Dresden in 1842 led to his appointment as musical director (Hofkapellmeister) at Dresden in 1843, and shortly afterwards Der fliegende Holländer as well as his innovative Tannhäuser were performed for the first time. Some of his outstanding achievements were a performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and his revised version of Gluck’s Iphigenie in Aulis.
In May 1849, having taken part in the revolt in Saxony, Wagner had to flee abroad, and after failing to establish himself as opera composer in Paris he settled with his wife in Zurich in 1857. They lived in a house on the Wesendonck estate under the patronage of the financier Otto von Wesendonck. While in Zurich he published various theoretical writings and composed Das Rheingold, Die Walküre and two acts of the opera Siegfried. While working on the Ring cycle, Wagner had fallen in love with Mathilde Wesendonck, the wife of his wealthy patron. The Ring Cycle work was interrupted in 1857 and not continued until 12 years later. He shifted his interest to a new subject, the love tragedy Tristan und Isolde. In an untenable situation in 1858 he moved first to Venice, then to Lucerne, Paris and Vienna.
Although he was composing what would become some of the most famous pieces in music history, Wagner struggled financially until 1864, when Ludwig II of Bavaria called him to Munich and began supporting him. So, in 1865 Tristan und Isolde and in 1868 Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg were premiered in Munich. Already by 1866 Wagner had fallen into disfavour amongst members of the court, who were suspicious of his influence on the king. He left Munich and went to Tribschen (near Lucerne), where he married Cosima von Bülow in 1870, the daughter of his friend Franz Liszt, who always supported him humanly and artistically. Around that time Die Meistersinger was finished, and he worked steadily at the unfinished portion of Der Ring des Nibelungen and further evolved the intellectual framework for his towering mature masterpieces.
In 1872 Wagner, his wife and the three children Isolde, Eva and Siegfried settled in Bayreuth. Wagner was anxious to have a special Festival Theatre for the complete cycle and spent much energy trying to raise money for it. Finally, King Ludwig II provided the necessary support. In 1872 the cornerstone was laid on Bayreuth’s Green Hill and the opera house was built to his personal specifications and suited to the massive fusion of music, staging, text, and scene design that his later operas entailed. The first festival – an artistic triumph but a financial disaster – was held there in 1876, when the complete Ring was given conducted by Hans Richter. In 1882 the second Bayreuth Festival took place with sixteen performances of Parsifal under Hermann Levi, which were financially successful. After that, Wagner and his family who had already spent the winter in Italy for some years, went to Venice where he died on 13 February 1883 of the heart trouble that had been with him for some years.
Products
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Handlung in 3 Aufzügen (1861 - 1875; mit Varianten) - Anhang und Kritischer BerichtComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Peter JostMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Score and critical report, complete editionSeries: Richard Wagner - Complete Works, Vol. 6/III
Tannhäuser, Vol. 6/III
Product number: RWA 106-30Print editionPrint editionIn stock€285.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Handlung in 3 Aufzügen (1861 - 1875; mit Varianten) - Zweiter AufzugComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Peter JostMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Score, complete editionSeries: Richard Wagner - Complete Works, Vol. 6/II
Tannhäuser, Vol. 6/II
Product number: RWA 106-20Print editionPrint editionIn stock€315.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Handlung in 3 Aufzügen (1861 - 1875; mit Varianten)Composer: Richard WagnerEditor: Peter JostMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Score, complete editionSeries: Richard Wagner - Complete Works, Vol. 6/I
Tannhäuser, Vol. 6/I
Product number: RWA 106-10Print editionPrint editionIn stock€463.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Große romantische Oper in 3 Akten - Dritter AktComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Reinhard Strohm | Egon VossMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Score and critical report, complete editionSeries: Richard Wagner - Complete Works, Vol. 5/III
Tannhäuser, Vol. 5/III
Product number: RWA 105-30Print editionPrint editionIn stock€182.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Große romantische Oper in 3 Akten - Zweiter AktComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Reinhard StrohmMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Score, complete editionSeries: Richard Wagner - Complete Works, Vol. 5/II
Tannhäuser, Vol. 5/II
Product number: RWA 105-20Print editionPrint editionIn stock€163.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Große romantische Oper in 3 Akten - Erster AktComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Reinhard StrohmMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Score, complete editionSeries: Richard Wagner - Complete Works, Vol. 5/I
Tannhäuser, Vol. 5/I
Product number: RWA 105-10Print editionPrint editionIn stock€166.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Paris VersionComposer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Full scoreInstrumentation: Soloists, Choir and OrchestraProduct number: AF 4000Print editionPrint editionIn stock€275.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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Dresdner FassungComposer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: ScoreSeries: Tannhäuser
Instrumentation: Soloists, Choir and OrchestraProduct number: AF 2945Print editionPrint editionIn stock€275.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Grand comic opera in 2 actsComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Eva Katharina Klein | Egon VossMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Score and critical report, complete editionSeries: Richard Wagner - Complete Works, Vol. 2/II
Language: GermanProduct number: RWA 102-20Print editionPrint editionIn stock€360.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Grand comic opera in 2 actsComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Klaus Doege | Egon VossMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Score and critical report, complete editionSeries: Richard Wagner - Complete Works, Vol. 2/I
Product number: RWA 102-10Print editionPrint editionIn stock€444.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Vol. 2 | from Richard Wagner's operas and music dramasComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Lothar WindspergerInstrumentation: piano (with Text)Product number: ED 301Product TypeIn stockAs low as €16.99Incl. Tax
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Vol. 1 | from Richard Wagner's operas and music dramasComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Lothar WindspergerSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: piano (with Text)Product number: ED 300Product TypeIn stockAs low as €16.99Incl. Tax -
(Version 1842-1880)Composer: Richard WagnerEditor: Egon VossEdition: Study scoreInstrumentation: Soprano, Alto, 2 Tenors, 2 Basses, Mixed Chorus and OrchestraProduct number: ETP 8054Product TypeIn stockAs low as €47.99Incl. Tax
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Romantic Opera in 3 ActsProduct TypeIn stockAs low as €45.99Incl. Tax
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Overture to the OperaComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Egon VossEdition: Study scoreInstrumentation: orchestraProduct number: ETP 668Product TypeIn stockAs low as €9.99Incl. Tax
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OperaProduct TypeIn stockAs low as €49.99Incl. Tax
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Paraphrase of the Quintet throm the Third ActProduct TypeIn stockAs low as €4.99Incl. Tax
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Prelude (Act 1)Composer: Richard WagnerEditor: Karl KlindworthSeries: Edition Schott - Single Edition
Instrumentation: pianoProduct number: ED0 1Product TypeIn stockAs low as €4.99Incl. Tax -
PreludeComposer: Richard WagnerArranger: A.von LivoniusSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: 3 pianos 12 handsProduct number: BSS 24534Product TypeIn stockAs low as €29.99Incl. Tax -
PreludeSeries: The Virtuoso Piano Transcription Series, Vol. 6
Instrumentation: piano or 2 pianos (4 hands)Product number: ED 9547Product TypeIn stockAs low as €13.99Incl. Tax -
from the new Complete EditionComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Egon VossEdition: Study scoreInstrumentation: soloists, choir and orchestraProduct number: ETP 8033Product TypeIn stockAs low as €49.99Incl. Tax
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PreludeComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Egon VossEdition: Study scoreInstrumentation: orchestraProduct number: ETP 665Product TypeIn stockAs low as €9.99Incl. Tax
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Introduction to Act 3Composer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreInstrumentation: orchestraProduct number: ETP 825Print editionPrint editionIn stock€9.50Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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VorspielComposer: Richard WagnerEdition: ScoreSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: Large OrchestraProduct number: BSS 18469-10Product TypeIn stockAs low as €20.99Incl. Tax -
Vorspiel zum 3. Akt, Tanz der Lehrbuben, Aufzug der Meistersinger und Gruß an Hans SachsComposer: Richard WagnerEdition: Individual part, Violin IIInstrumentation: OrchestraProduct number: BSS 18469-42Product TypeIn stockAs low as €5.99Incl. Tax
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Vorspiel zum 3. Akt, Tanz der Lehrbuben, Aufzug der Meistersinger und Gruß an Hans SachsProduct TypeIn stockAs low as €22.99Incl. Tax
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Vorspiel zum 3. Akt, Tanz der Lehrbuben, Aufzug der Meistersinger und Gruß an Hans SachsComposer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Individual part, Double BassInstrumentation: OrchestraProduct number: BSS 18469-45Print editionPrint editionIn stock€7.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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Vorspiel zum 3. Akt, Tanz der Lehrbuben, Aufzug der Meistersinger und Gruß an Hans SachsComposer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Individual part, CelloInstrumentation: OrchestraProduct number: BSS 18469-44Print editionPrint editionIn stock€7.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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Vorspiel zum 3. Akt, Tanz der Lehrbuben, Aufzug der Meistersinger und Gruß an Hans SachsComposer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Individual part, ViolaInstrumentation: OrchestraProduct number: BSS 18469-43Print editionPrint editionIn stock€7.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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Vorspiel zum 3. Akt, Tanz der Lehrbuben, Aufzug der Meistersinger und Gruß an Hans SachsComposer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Individual part, Violin IInstrumentation: OrchestraProduct number: BSS 18469-41Print editionPrint editionIn stock€7.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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Vorspiel zum 3. Akt, Tanz der Lehrbuben, Aufzug der Meistersinger und Gruß an Hans SachsComposer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Wind partsInstrumentation: OrchestraProduct number: BSS 18469-40Print editionPrint editionIn stock€44.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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Am stillen HerdComposer: Richard WagnerSeries: Edition Schott - Single Edition
Instrumentation: Tenor and PianoProduct number: ED0 20Product TypeIn stockAs low as €3.99Incl. Tax -
Composer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: BookEdition: LibrettoInstrumentation: Soloists, Choir and OrchestraLanguage: EnglishProduct number: BN 3925-10BookBookIn stock€8.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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An orchestral adventureComposer: Henk de Vlieger | Richard WagnerArranger: Henk de VliegerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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for orchestraHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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Composer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: BookEdition: LibrettoLanguage: German, EnglishProduct number: ED 11326BookBookIn stock€5.50Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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The Ride of the ValkyriesProduct TypeIn stockAs low as €10.99Incl. Tax
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Wotan's Farewell and Magic Fire MusicComposer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: E-score PDFEdition: Study scoreInstrumentation: bass and orchestraLanguage: GermanProduct number: ETP 808 Q4543E-score PDFE-score PDFIn stock€7.99Incl. Tax
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aus Wagners GötterdämmerungComposer: Richard WagnerArranger: H. EhrlichInstrumentation: 2 pianos (4 hands)Product number: ED0 2174Product TypeIn stockAs low as €4.99Incl. Tax
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for symphonic bandComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Egon VossMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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Composer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: voice and pianoLanguage: GermanProduct number: ED 6792 Q53751E-score PDFE-score PDFIn stock€2.99Incl. Tax
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aus den Wesendonck-LiedernHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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"Bridal Chorus" from "Lohengrin"Composer: Richard WagnerArranger: Wolfgang BirtelEdition: Score and partsSeries: Cello Library
Edition Schott
Instrumentation: 4 cellosProduct number: CB 207Product TypeIn stockAs low as €15.99Incl. Tax -
"Bridal Chorus" from "Lohengrin"Edition: Score and partsSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: wind quintetProduct number: ED 20378Product TypeIn stockAs low as €15.99Incl. Tax -
"Bridal Chorus" from "Lohengrin"Composer: Richard WagnerArranger: Wolfgang BirtelEdition: Score and partsSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: string trioProduct number: ED 20376Product TypeIn stockAs low as €12.99Incl. Tax -
"Bridal Chorus" from "Lohengrin"Composer: Richard WagnerArranger: Wolfgang BirtelEdition: Score and partsSeries: Edition Schott
Instrumentation: piano trioProduct number: ED 20377Product TypeIn stockAs low as €12.99Incl. Tax -
"Bridal Chorus" from "Lohengrin"Composer: Richard WagnerArranger: Wolfgang BirtelSeries: Edition Schott - Single Edition
Instrumentation: horn in F and pianoProduct number: ED0 9835Product TypeIn stockAs low as €3.99Incl. Tax -
"Bridal Chorus" from "Lohengrin"Composer: Richard WagnerArranger: Wolfgang BirtelSeries: Edition Schott - Single Edition
Instrumentation: trumpet in Bb and pianoProduct number: ED0 9834Product TypeIn stockAs low as €3.99Incl. Tax -
"Bridal Chorus" from "Lohengrin"Composer: Richard WagnerArranger: Wolfgang BirtelSeries: Edition Schott - Single Edition
Instrumentation: alto saxophone and pianoProduct number: ED0 9833Product TypeIn stockAs low as €3.99Incl. Tax -
"Bridal Chorus" from "Lohengrin"Composer: Richard WagnerArranger: Wolfgang BirtelSeries: Edition Schott - Single Edition
Instrumentation: oboe and pianoProduct number: ED0 9831Product TypeIn stockAs low as €3.99Incl. Tax