Podcast
Questions and Answers
Rihards Vāgners was born on May 22, 1813, in ______.
Rihards Vāgners was born on May 22, 1813, in ______.
Answer hidden
Vāgners lost his father at an early age and his mother remarried an actor named ______.
Vāgners lost his father at an early age and his mother remarried an actor named ______.
Answer hidden
Vāgners was one of the greatest reformers of ______.
Vāgners was one of the greatest reformers of ______.
Answer hidden
His first completed opera was titled ______.
His first completed opera was titled ______.
Answer hidden
At the age of 20, Vāgners began working as a choir conductor in ______.
At the age of 20, Vāgners began working as a choir conductor in ______.
Answer hidden
From 1837 to 1839, he worked as the music director of the Rīga City ______ (Stadt Theater).
From 1837 to 1839, he worked as the music director of the Rīga City ______ (Stadt Theater).
Answer hidden
Wagner completed the opera ______ while living in Paris from 1839 to 1842.
Wagner completed the opera ______ while living in Paris from 1839 to 1842.
Answer hidden
He served as the conductor of the Dresden Court ______ from 1842 to 1849.
He served as the conductor of the Dresden Court ______ from 1842 to 1849.
Answer hidden
To avoid arrest, Wagner was forced to flee to ______ after becoming involved in political activities.
To avoid arrest, Wagner was forced to flee to ______ after becoming involved in political activities.
Answer hidden
In 1876, Wagner's private opera house in ______ was inaugurated with a performance of 'Das Rheingold'.
In 1876, Wagner's private opera house in ______ was inaugurated with a performance of 'Das Rheingold'.
Answer hidden
The main expressive medium in opera is the ______.
The main expressive medium in opera is the ______.
Answer hidden
A notable feature of opera is the inclusion of ______ and choirs.
A notable feature of opera is the inclusion of ______ and choirs.
Answer hidden
Wagner's orchestras are considered one of the greatest achievements of ______ music.
Wagner's orchestras are considered one of the greatest achievements of ______ music.
Answer hidden
The Siegfried's music drama is part of the Nibelung ______.
The Siegfried's music drama is part of the Nibelung ______.
Answer hidden
The ______ tuba is a combination of a horn and a trombone.
The ______ tuba is a combination of a horn and a trombone.
Answer hidden
The character Tanheizer is based on ______ who lived in reality.
The character Tanheizer is based on ______ who lived in reality.
Answer hidden
The scenario of the opera involves a knight who regrets his actions in the realm of the goddess ______.
The scenario of the opera involves a knight who regrets his actions in the realm of the goddess ______.
Answer hidden
Wagner's librettos are based on German ______ related to Tanheizer.
Wagner's librettos are based on German ______ related to Tanheizer.
Answer hidden
The bass trumpet is a combination of a trumpet and a ______.
The bass trumpet is a combination of a trumpet and a ______.
Answer hidden
Tanheizer’s story involves seeking ______ for his sins from the Pope.
Tanheizer’s story involves seeking ______ for his sins from the Pope.
Answer hidden
Study Notes
Richard Wagner (1813-1883)
- German composer significantly impacting subsequent generations, especially in opera
- One of the greatest opera reformers
- Innovative composer
- Author and playwright of his own operas
- Leading conductor
- Music critic and publicist
- Theorist of his art form
- Complex and contradictory figure
- Born May 22, 1813, Leipzig, Germany
- Died February 13, 1883, Venice, Italy
- Parents: Johanna and Karl Friedrich Wagner (police official)
- Ninth child in the family
- Father died young
- Mother remarried to actor Ludwig Geyer, moving to Dresden
- Early exposure to the theatre
- Studied at Kreuzschule in Dresden (from 1821)
- Studied music with various private teachers in Leipzig
- Studied harmony and conducting under Christian Gottlieb Miller (1828-1831)
- Held conducting positions in Würzburg and Magdeburg
- Worked as a chapel master in Königsberg (1836)
- Held music director positions in Riga from 1837 to 1839
- Married Christine Wilhelmine Planer (Minna) in 1836
- Composed first completed Symphony in D major at 19 years old
- Studied at Leipzig University alongside composition studies (1831)
- Lived in Würzburg and Magdeburg in his early adulthood
- Lived in Königsberg as a chapel master (1836)
- Held positions in Riga (1837-1839)
- Spent time in Paris (1839-1842) earning a living through writing and copying scores for other composers
- Lived in Dresden as the court opera conductor (1842-1849)
- Forced to flee to Switzerland for political reasons (1849)
- Lived in Zurich and Lucerne
- Family moved to Triebschen villa (1864), where he founded the Bayreuth Festspielhaus
- Founded the Bayreuth Festival
- Married Cosima von Bülow in 1870
- Founded the Bayreuth Festival Theatre, which opened in 1876
- Lived in Bayreuth with his family until his death in 1883
- Buried in Bayreuth
Wagner's Notable Works
- Included numerous operas, including The Ring of the Nibelungs, Tristan und Isolde, Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, and Parsifal.
- Known for innovative musical language that challenged conventions at time
Wagner's Style
- Emphasis on orchestral richness and complexity
- Use of leitmotifs
- Combination of music and drama
- Use of larger orchestra with significant importance placed on brass and wind instruments
- Operatic works
- Orchestral works
- Music dramas
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the life of Richard Wagner, a German composer whose innovative contributions to opera have left a lasting impact on music history. From his beginnings in Leipzig to his pivotal role as a composer, conductor, and theorist, learn about the complexities of this influential figure. The quiz examines his early life, career milestones, and lasting legacy in the world of opera.