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Richard Wagner
Country of origin:
Germany
Birthday:
May 22, 1813
Date of death:
February 13, 1883
Upcoming Performances
Der Ring ohne Worte
Conductor: Christoph König
Orchestra: Orquesta Sinfónica de RTVE
April 17, 2026 |
Madrid (Spain) , Teatro Monumental
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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21Composer: Richard WagnerEditor: Gabriele E. Meyer | Egon VossMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Score and critical report, complete editionSeries: Richard Wagner - Complete Works, Vol. 21
Language: German, EnglishProduct number: RWA 121Print editionPrint editionIn stock€269.50Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf WartburgComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Claudia EderMedia Type: E-score PDFInstrumentation: soprano and pianoLanguage: GermanProduct number: ED 20896 Q13889E-score PDFE-score PDFIn stock€2.99Incl. Tax -
Entrance ChorusMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Choral scoreInstrumentation: mixed choir (SATB) and pianoLanguage: German, EnglishProduct number: BHI 5401786Print editionPrint editionIn stock€4.95Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
und der Sängerkrieg auf WartburgProduct TypeIn stockAs low as €11.99Incl. Tax -
Overture to the OperaComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Reinhard StrohmEdition: Study scoreSeries: Eulenburg Miniature Scores
Tannhäuser
Instrumentation: orchestraProduct number: ETP 669Product TypeIn stockAs low as €9.99Incl. Tax -
Bacchanale (Orchesterstück)Composer: Richard WagnerEditor: Max HochkoflerMedia Type: E-score PDFEdition: Study scoreSeries: Eulenburg Miniature Scores
Tannhäuser
Instrumentation: orchestraProduct number: ETP 814 Q4544E-score PDFE-score PDFIn stock€9.99Incl. Tax -
Symphonic poem in 3 movementsComposer: Pedro Halffter | Richard WagnerArranger: Pedro HalffterMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: GermanHire/performance materialHire/performance material -
Sinfonische Dichtung in drei SätzenComposer: Pedro Halffter | Richard WagnerArranger: Pedro HalffterMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: orchestraHire/performance materialHire/performance material -
Einzug der Gäste („Freudig begrüßen wir die Hallen“)Composer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: GermanHire/performance materialHire/performance material -
OvertureComposer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Miniature scoreInstrumentation: orchestraProduct number: ZO 6501339Print editionPrint editionOut of stock€13.95Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
Introduction to Act 3 (Tannhäuser's Pilgrimage)Composer: Richard WagnerEditor: Max HochkoflerMedia Type: Sheet musicEdition: Study scoreSeries: Eulenburg Miniature Scores
Instrumentation: orchestraProduct number: ETP 815Print editionPrint editionIn stock€10.50Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
PotpourriComposer: Richard WagnerArranger: Gustav KanterMedia Type: Sheet musicInstrumentation: bandoneonProduct number: AV 2149Print editionPrint editionIn stock€5.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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Pilgerchor (Erleichtert)Composer: Richard WagnerArranger: Curt MahrMedia Type: Sheet musicInstrumentation: accordionProduct number: AV 2035Print editionPrint editionIn stock€6.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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Gebet der Elisabeth "Allmächt'ge Jungfrau!"Composer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: GermanHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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Rom-ErzählungComposer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: GermanHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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OuvertüreComposer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialInstrumentation: orchestraHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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PilgerchorComposer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: GermanHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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BacchanaleHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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Arie der ElisabethComposer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: GermanHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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Lied an den AbendsternComposer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: GermanHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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Product TypeIn stockAs low as €3.99Incl. Tax -
Vocal Score based on the Richard Wagner Complete Edition edited by Wolfgang M. WagnerComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Wolfgang Michael WagnerEdition: Piano reductionProduct number: ED 20469Product TypeIn stockAs low as €45.99Incl. Tax -
Scenario in 3 actsComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Peter JostEdition: Study scoreSeries: Eulenburg Miniature Scores
Tannhäuser
Instrumentation: soloists, choir and orchestraProduct number: ETP 8061Product TypeIn stockAs low as €59.99Incl. Tax -
Lied an den AbendsternComposer: Richard WagnerArranger: Nikolaj KasanliMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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PilgerchorComposer: Richard WagnerArranger: Nikolaj KasanliMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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OuvertüreComposer: Richard WagnerArranger: Nikolaj KasanliMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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Shortened text version by Carel AlphenaarComposer: Richard WagnerArranger: Henk de VliegerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: GermanHire/performance materialHire/performance material -
(Version de Paris en francais 1861)Composer: Richard WagnerEditor: Peter JostMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: FrenchHire/performance materialHire/performance material -
Performance material of all versions based on the Richard Wagner Complete EditionComposer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: French, GermanHire/performance materialHire/performance material -
Ouvertüre und Bacchanale (Dresdner/Pariser/Wiener Fassung)Composer: Richard WagnerEditor: Peter JostMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: GermanHire/performance materialHire/performance material -
(Wiener Fassung 1875)Composer: Richard WagnerEditor: Peter JostMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: GermanHire/performance materialHire/performance material -
(Pariser Fassung)Composer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: GermanHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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(Dresdner Fassung 1845-1860)Composer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: Hire/performance materialEdition: Performance materialLanguage: GermanHire/performance materialHire/performance material
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Große romantische Oper in drei AktenComposer: Richard WagnerMedia Type: BookEdition: LibrettoLanguage: GermanProduct number: AF 4167BookBookIn stock€5.95Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping
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DocumentsComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Peter Jost | Cristina UrchueguíaMedia Type: BookEdition: complete editionSeries: Richard Wagner - Complete Works, Vol. 25
Language: GermanProduct number: RWA 225BookBookIn stock€397.00Incl. Tax, Excl. Shipping -
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 -
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 -
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 -
Romantic Opera in 3 ActsProduct TypeIn stockAs low as €45.99Incl. Tax -
Overture to the OperaComposer: Richard WagnerEditor: Egon VossEdition: Study scoreInstrumentation: orchestraProduct number: ETP 668Product TypeIn stockAs low as €9.99Incl. Tax
