2.  Richard Wagner (1813-1883) was the greatest German opera composer in the late Romantic Period.  His operas were very long, loud, and broke conventions, winning him many friends and enemies.  They were often based on old Norse myths and celebrated German culture.  50 years later Adolph Hitler used Wagner’s operas to promote German supremacy, and they began to be despised in the rest of the world, but they have retained a loyal fan base and are frequently performed around the world.

3.  Wagner forever changed opera with his concept of Gesamtkunstwerk ( synthesis of the arts )  Story-telling most important (not showing off)  Soloists & orchestra equal partners (not just accompaniment)  Wagner increased the size of the orchestra and gave them the ability to “comment” on the developing story through musical leitmotifs.  Short melodies that identify a character or concept in the opera’s story.  The Leitmotif techniques became popular and is still commonly used in movies today. Especially…  The “Lord of the Rings” trilogy

4.  Wagner’s most famous work is a set of 4 operas (total 15 hours) collectively called “The Ring.”  Individual names: “The Rheine Gold,” “The Valkyrie,” “Siegfried,” & The Twilight of the Gods”  It is an epic story involving the struggles of gods, heroes, and several mythical creatures over a magic ring that grants domination over the entire world. It ends with the destruction of Valhalla and the gods.  Wagner wrote the words and music, directed and designed the sets, invented two new instruments for the opera, and had a special extra-large opera house built to facilitate it’s performances.

5.  Opening scene from Act III of “The Valkyrie.”  Valkyries were mythical maidens that chose who died in battles and brought the heroes to Valhalla to live with the Gods.  In this scene, the 8 sisters greet each other on horseback as they are carrying fallen heroes to Wotan so he can build an army. Their sister Brunnhilde is missing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeRwBiu4wfQ