Richard Wagner

Sound

Richard Wagner

Born May 22, 1813 · Leipzig, Germany

Died February 13, 1883 · aged 69

Wilhelm Richard Wagner (/ˈvɑːɡnər/; German: [ˈʁiçaʁt ˈvaːɡnɐ] (About this sound listen); 22 May 1813 – 13 February 1883) was a German composer, theatre director, polemicist, and conductor who is chiefly known for his operas (or, as some of his later works were later known, "music dramas"). Unlike most opera composers, Wagner wrote both the libretto and the music for each of his stage works. He de…

Known For

Nosferatu the VampyreNosferatu the Vampyre · 1979
Nosferatu the Vampyre
★ 7.31979
MovieDramaHorror
A real estate agent leaves behind his beautiful wife to go to Transylvania to visit the mysterious Count Dracula and formalize the purchase of a property in Wismar.
LudwigLudwig · 1973
Ludwig
★ 7.51973
MovieDramaHistory
Historical evocation of Ludwig, king of Bavaria, from his crowning in 1864 until his death in 1886, as a romantic hero. Fan of Richard Wagner, betrayed by him, in love with his cousin Elisabeth of Austria, abandoned by her, tormented by his homosexuality, he will little by little slip towards madness.
Wagner: Die Walküre - Royal Opera HouseWagner: Die Walküre - Royal Opera House · 2025
Wagner: Die Walküre - Royal Opera House
★ 7.02025
MovieMusic
On a stormy night, fate brings two strangers together, unleashing a love that has the power to destroy entire worlds. Meanwhile, in the realm of the gods, an epic battle erupts between the ruler Wotan and his rebellious daughter Brünnhilde.
Wagner: Das Rheingold - Royal Opera HouseWagner: Das Rheingold - Royal Opera House · 2023
Wagner: Das Rheingold - Royal Opera House
★ 4.02023
MovieDramaMusic
When a precious hoard of gold is stolen from the river Rhine, it unleashes a chain of destructive events, pitting gods and mortals against one another for generations. Wagner’s Ring cycle boasts some of the greatest music ever written for the opera stage. Join us as we embark on a spectacular journey into the world of myth, dream and memory, with the figure of Erda – Mother Earth herself – at its centre.
Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Teatro alla ScalaWagner: Götterdämmerung - Teatro alla Scala · 2013
Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Teatro alla Scala
★ 3.52013
MovieMusic
Götterdämmerung, the final instalment of Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelung, is a story of human passions. Two essentially benevolent creatures, involved with and possibly doomed by their traffic with the gods, find treachery and evil in the world of the humans, and are ruined by the dark side of humanity. Iréne Theorin, acclaimed worldwide for her portrayal of Wagner’s heroines, stars as Brünnhilde opposite Lance Ryan, who continues his radiant portrayal of the tragic hero Siegfried. The strong cast also includes Mikhail Petrenko as the dark antagonist Hagen and Johannes Martin Kränzle, who once again shines as his father Alberich. Waltraud Meier has a memorable appearance as Brünnhilde’s sister Waltraute. With this 2013 recording of Götterdämmerung, the musically and visually compelling Scala Ring Cycle by Daniel Barenboim and Guy Cassiers was completed and proved to be one of the highlights of the Richard Wagner bicentenary.
Manhattan Murder MysteryManhattan Murder Mystery · 1993
Manhattan Murder Mystery
★ 7.31993
MovieComedyMystery
A middle-aged couple suspects foul play when their neighbor's wife suddenly drops dead.
Wagner: Siegfried - Royal Ballet HouseWagner: Siegfried - Royal Ballet House · 2026
Wagner: Siegfried - Royal Ballet House
★ 6.02026
MovieMusic
Raised by a scheming dwarf and unaware of his true family origins, a young man embarks on an epic journey.
PatriotismPatriotism · 1966
Patriotism
★ 7.01966
MovieDrama
Two characters on a Noh stage dramatize the rite of love and death of Lieutenant Shinji Takeyama and his wife Reiko.

Filmography

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Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Teatro alla ScalaWagner: Götterdämmerung - Teatro alla Scala · 2013
Wagner: Götterdämmerung - Teatro alla Scala
★ 3.52013
MovieMusic
Götterdämmerung, the final instalment of Wagner’s Ring of the Nibelung, is a story of human passions. Two essentially benevolent creatures, involved with and possibly doomed by their traffic with the gods, find treachery and evil in the world of the humans, and are ruined by the dark side of humanity. Iréne Theorin, acclaimed worldwide for her portrayal of Wagner’s heroines, stars as Brünnhilde opposite Lance Ryan, who continues his radiant portrayal of the tragic hero Siegfried. The strong cast also includes Mikhail Petrenko as the dark antagonist Hagen and Johannes Martin Kränzle, who once again shines as his father Alberich. Waltraud Meier has a memorable appearance as Brünnhilde’s sister Waltraute. With this 2013 recording of Götterdämmerung, the musically and visually compelling Scala Ring Cycle by Daniel Barenboim and Guy Cassiers was completed and proved to be one of the highlights of the Richard Wagner bicentenary.

Writer

Wagner: Das RheingoldWagner: Das Rheingold · 1980
Wagner: Das Rheingold
★ 7.11980
MovieMusic
This is a beautifully conducted and thoughtfully staged performance of the first opera (the prologue) in Wagner's Ring Cycle. As soon as the clouds of mist have dissipated, while the daring, long-held opening chord is still reverberating, the screen clears to show not only the River Rhine and the three maidens (dressed like prostitutes in this production) assigned to guard the gold hidden there. It also shows an enormous dam (not mentioned in Wagner's text). This is the underwater base of a hydroelectric plant, and its presence tells us two things immediately: that this production takes the story out of the vaguely medieval fantasy world in which Wagner had placed it, and that a basic theme of the four-opera cycle would be power. Alberich, the Nibelung, is willing to renounce the love of women, after stealing the gold from the Rhine, to become the ruler of the world. Another basic theme is greed.

Writer

Das Rheingold - De Nationale OperaDas Rheingold - De Nationale Opera · 2014
Das Rheingold - De Nationale Opera
★ 6.02014
MovieMusic
This is the Ring cycle of the Dutch National Opera, directed by Pierre Audi. In the depths of the Rhine, the three Rhinemaidens guard the Rhinegold, a treasure of immeasurable value. The Nibelung dwarf Alberich is dazzled by the sight of it. The girls explain that whoever wins the gold and forges it into a ring will gain power over the world, but must first renounce love. Frustrated by his unsuccessful attempts to catch one of the girls, Alberich curses love and steals the gold. Wotan, lord of the gods, is reproached by his wife Fricka: he has promised to give Freia, goddess of youth, to the giants Fasolt and Fafner in return for their building a fortress for the gods. When the giants demand their reward, Loge, the god of fire, suggests an alternative payment: the ring Alberich has forged from the Rhinegold, and his other treasures. The giants agree, and Wotan and Loge leave for the Nibelungs’ underground home.

Writer