Who was Richard Wagner?
Q: Who was Richard Wagner?
A: Richard Wagner was a German opera composer who lived during the Romantic period. He is considered one of the most important opera composers in Germany at that time.
Q: What did Wagner write?
A: Wagner wrote ten operas, as well as some music he composed while he was a student. Most of his operas were based on stories from German mythology and he always wrote the words himself.
Q: How did Wagner change people's ideas about operas?
A: Wagner thought that drama (the story being told with its tensions) was very important, so he chose singers for his operas himself to train them into his way of thinking. He also made sure that there were no pauses for applause between solos like there had been in 18th century operas, instead having the music continue throughout the act to tell the story using leitmotifs - melodies or short musical phrases associated with particular characters or ideas.
Q: What influence did Wagner have on other composers?
A: Many musicians in Europe tried to make a journey to Bayreuth where an opera house had been built to his own design, just to hear his music. His harmonies became more chromatic (using lots of sharps and flats) and changed key often, which had a large influence on other composers at the time.
Q: Is there still an annual festival dedicated to him?
A: Yes, every year there is still a Wagner festival held in Bayreuth where people can come together and listen to his music.
