In order to become a real musician, Wagner studied harmony and counterpoint with Thomas Church musician Tirvol Williger in 183 1. His thirst for knowledge prompted him to master these theories in a short time and put them into practice. 1832, Wagner composed Symphony in C Major, which was successfully performed in Leipzig, improving Wagner's position in the music industry. The opportunity that followed made him have a new change on the road of music. 1833, Wagner was invited by Wiltsburg Theatre as the chorus conductor. Soon after, he conducted in Konigsberg and Riga Opera House. This gave him the opportunity to have extensive contact with opera works, and gradually explored the special laws of opera art and the artistic styles of different genres of operas popular at that time through performance practice. Wagner gained rich practical experience from his work in the Opera House. He not only improved his command ability, but also accumulated a lot of perceptual knowledge of opera creation. During this period, he wrote two operas: Slave and Forbidden Love. Although these two works are still naive, they have opened the door to Wagner's life-long opera creation. Wagner married the opera actress Mina Planner while working in the Konigsberg Theatre.
Wagner came to Paris on 1839. Paris was one of the centers of European culture at that time, and Wagner had long admired this land. I wish I could show my art here. But contrary to expectations, he was completely lost in the "ocean" of talents. Wagner didn't get the stage right of his own works, so he had to make a living by copying music. Three years in Paris was the poorest period of Wagner's life. He used to be unable to go out because of holes in the soles of his shoes, and he couldn't afford to buy new shoes. He can't even afford the cheapest razor, and he often goes hungry. In his autobiography My Life, Wagner once wrote the following sad memories: "One day, I reached the tip of poverty. Because I was really broke, I ran out of home early and walked all the way to Paris. Because I have no money to buy a ticket and take the bus. I have been looking forward to it, even if I can get five francs. So I wandered the streets of Paris all day until dusk. In the end, my task failed and I had to go back to Middleton as before. "
Poor life and hard environment did not dampen Wagner's creative determination. He worked day and night. In just three years, he wrote two operas, an overture and several songs with amazing perseverance.
He made a wide range of social and cultural celebrities and broadened his artistic horizons. Composers Liszt, Berlioz and poet Heine are frequent visitors to Wagner.
1842 At the beginning of the year, the Dresden Opera House prepared to rehearse the opera Jean completed by Wagner in Paris, so Wagner set off for home and devoted himself to this work. In April of the same year, the premiere of Jean in Dresden Theatre was an unprecedented success. Wagner became famous in one fell swoop, which made him experience material and spiritual satisfaction for the first time in his life. The success of Li En Crowd aroused Wagner's interest in Dresden Theatre, and his other two operas, The Wandering Dutchman and Don Hauser, were also performed in the theatre. During this period, Wagner was also appointed as the conductor of Dresden Theatre.
During the period of 1848, the situation of German bourgeois revolution was very high, and Vazena devoted herself to this revolution with great enthusiasm. He published an article entitled "Revolution" in People's Daily, describing the revolution as a great goddess: "She rode on Pan Feng's tender wings, holding her shining head high, holding a sword in her right hand and a torch in her left hand, and her eyes were gloomy, cold and angry, but for those who dared to face up to this bleak look, she radiated the purest light of love." Wagner not only spoke generously, but also devoted himself to the revolution and the front line of the battle with pen and ink. He took part in a street fight in Dresden in May 1849. At that time, the fire was fierce and the situation was very critical. Regardless of his life, Wagner fought back against the government forces with the soldiers. During the battle, Wagner braved the bullets and posted revolutionary leaflets on the walls and fences, and spent two days and two nights on the Crestoff Tower. As a result, the revolution was suppressed and Wagner was hunted down. A warrant for the arrest of Wagner can be seen everywhere on the streets of Dresden: "Richard Wagner, a local royal musician, should be tried by law for participating in local riots, but he has not yet obtained it." I want to draw the attention of all police agencies to the above situation and ask them to arrest Wagner and inform us immediately if he is found in the area under your jurisdiction. "
In this way, Wagner had to flee Dresden. In Weimar, with the help of Liszt, he got a forged passport, left Germany and fled to Zurich, Switzerland.
1In the autumn of 849, Wagner came to Zurich and lived in exile for twelve years. At that time, he had no fixed salary and lived on the support of his friends and a small amount of other income. However, Wagner was a spendthrift by nature, so he was in debt 10000 francs less than five years after he arrived in Switzerland. Soon, at the invitation of the London Philharmonic Society, Wagner went to London to give eight concerts, and at one time his income was very meager. This is a big blow to Wagner, who is heavily in debt. He angrily compared London to "hell". In the first few years abroad, Wagner was not only poor and miserable, but also ill. From 1852 to 1855, he was infected with malaria and erysipelas. These two serious diseases severely disabled Wagner's body. In a letter to his friend Julich, he said that his illness was unbearable and almost ruined him.
In the first few years in Switzerland, Wagner's life was very difficult, but he was lucky. In Zurich, on the one hand, he engaged in theoretical writing and composition, on the other hand, in order to make a living, he devoted most of his energy to directing. He took part in the performance of the Pop Music Association. In addition to conducting, he also wrote some enlightening explanations for Beethoven's works and his own opera overture. Because of his extensive participation in concert activities, Waggon attracted a large number of admirers. They gave Wagner all kinds of financial and public support. Among these people, an industrialist couple became Wagner's closest friends during his stay in Switzerland. They are Mathilde Wesendonk, the wife of Otto Chengsen Shukka.
1852 In February, Wagner played Beethoven's works at a concert organized by the Pop Music Association. After listening to Wagner's works, the Wiesentonk couple who were present at that time were deeply moved. Fascinated by Wagner's command art, they met Wagner through a German fugitive lawyer. Otto Wesendonk is a monopolist of silk business and a rational figure who really understands art. In order to help Wagner get rid of the economic difficulties at that time, Otto Wesendonk, who is rich in financial resources, gave Wagner a loan of 7,000 francs and gave him many selfless help in other aspects. 1At the beginning of 853, Wagner hosted a three-day Zurich Music Festival, most of which was paid by Otto. In his life, Otto paid for Wagner's holiday travel many times, which broadened his horizons during his exile. Otto not only supported Wagner financially, but also bought a house next door for Wagner to live in a few years. 1857 In the spring, when Wagner moved into this new house, he immediately wrote to Liszt about the joy brought by his new living environment. He wrote: "The workbench is placed in front of a big window and you can see the lake and the Alps outside. Really beautiful. "
Wagner also got spiritual comfort because of his common interest with Mrs. Mathilde Wesendonk. Mathilde is a beautiful young woman. She has a high cultural accomplishment and has certain opinions on philosophy, literature and music. Wagner admired this unusual woman very much and often appeared in Mathilde's living room between five and six in the evening. Therefore, Wagner jokingly called himself a "dusk guest". He regards Mathilde as his confidant and often discusses art and life with her. On the basis of faith and artistic hobbies, they have established an increasingly profound friendship. Wagner wrote a film 1853 in June. "Sonata in E flat major" is dedicated to Mrs. Wiesentonk; He also wrote the words "G.S.M" ("Bless Mathilde") on the page of the prelude to the opera "Valkyria" as a dedication to this song. During the creation of the opera Tristan and isolde, their incomparable friendship was also condensed. A few years after leaving the Wiesentonks, Wagner wrote to Mathilde: "I will always sincerely thank you for the completion of Tristan!" The relationship between Wagner and Chengsen Tokugawa lasted for six years, which he called "the heyday of bloom". 1858 In April, Wagner's wife Mina opened a letter to Mathilde without permission, which caused a storm in Wesendonk's home. From then on, Wagner's situation was very difficult. He couldn't stand the endless quarrel, and finally left the residence of the Wiesentonk couple on August 17 and moved to Venice.
Wagner lived in Venice for seven months. 1859 In the late summer, when he finished all the works of Tristan and isolde, he left Venice and came to Paris for the second time. During his stay in Paris, he ran around for permission to return to China. After more than a year of hard work, Wagner finally returned to the motherland.
Shortly after returning home, Varina went to BiBeric on the Rhine and wrote the opera "The Famous Singer of Nuremberg". Due to the worsening economic situation, he had to conduct concerts in big cities such as Leipzig and Vienna and make a living on his meager income. 1863, Wagner went to Russia to give a concert and performed in Petersburg and Moscow successively. The performance was very successful and earned considerable income. However, shortly after returning to China, he was in trouble again, his financial resources were cut off, his concert income was pitiful, and his property was confiscated by his creditors. Wagner became a wandering wanderer, and his life was almost desperate. He wrote in his diary: "I am finished, I will disappear from this world." However, at the end of this poor day, Wagner met with good luck.
1864 On the afternoon of May 4th, Wagner was invited to Munich to meet Bavarian King Louis II. Louis II is an ardent admirer of Wagner music. Ever since he saw lohengrin in Vienna, he has been eager to summon Wagner day and night. One day, the secretary-general of the court asked the king what he sincerely hoped. Without thinking, the king replied that he wanted to meet the composer Richard Wagner, and claimed that this was his greatest wish in his life. When Wagner appeared in front of the king, Louis II hugged Wagner like an old friend after a long separation and said, "The Wagner brothers are as great as gods! You are the person I have been looking for for for a long time. I know your art. Holy singer, I am closely integrated with you in my heart! " Louis II's infatuation with Wagner made Wagner get unprecedented treatment in his life. According to the king's wishes, Wagner lived in a villa near Munich, not far from the Summer Palace near Steinberg Lake. The king helped Wagner pay off all his debts and meet all his needs. The friendship with Louis II made Wagner leap from the brink of despair and smooth sailing. Wagner went to Switzerland again on 1866 in order to create with peace of mind. After a year of hard work, I finally finished the creation of the opera "Nuremberg Famous Singer". 1868 June 2 1 This opera premiered in Rabbit Black and was conducted by the famous musician and Wagner's friend Piro. Louis II attended the premiere ceremony and invited Wagner to his box to enjoy the premiere of the opera. At the end of the second and third acts, Wagner was in the king's box, answering the applauding audience.
After the opera, Wagner returned to Switzerland from Munich. He stayed there for another four years until 1872, when he left Switzerland to build Barrett Theatre. The construction of Barrett Theatre is one of the most important events in Wagner's later years, which is closely related to Wagner's career.
Wagner appeared as a reformer of opera art in the history of music. He fought for his artistic ideal with unswerving spirit and indomitable strength. He opposed the empty vocal skills common in Italian operas at that time, and also opposed the superficial effect of French operas at that time, but advocated that music should be organically combined with drama, and opera should promote progressive social ideals. Wagner founded a new art form-musical.
Before 1849, Wagner had begun to practice his opera reform thought. He wrote three operas, The Wandering Dutchman, Don Hauser and lohengrin. After 1849, in the early years of exile in Switzerland, Wagner thought about the ideal of opera reform from the perspective of theory and aesthetics. He is the author of Art and Revolution (1849), Future Works of Art (1850), Opera and Drama (185 1), and three operas (Wandering Dutchman and Tang Dynasty). It profoundly embodies the great courage of a reformer. In his book Art and Revolution, he pointed out: "Art is always a good mirror of the social system." "Only by standing on the shoulders of our great social movement can real art rise from a civilized and barbaric state to its due height." Opera and drama are the most important aesthetic works in Wagner's life. In this book, he expounded the artistic ideal of integrating various arts. He called his musical "Future Drama". He thinks that the affiliated opera has gone astray. Music in opera should be a performance of hands, but it has become an end, while drama should be an end, but it has become a means. He believes that in the future opera, music and drama should be constantly developing and will not be interrupted by individual independent tunes.
Wagner's opera reform thought is the guiding ideology of his life career. He has composed eight operas and practiced his theory of opera reform to varying degrees. In order to realize his dream, Wagner has always dreamed of building a new theater, which must be able to meet his musical performance requirements. After years of hard work, we finally broke ground in Barrett, a Bavarian town in 1872.
As early as the early autumn of 1837, Wagner, 24, had the idea of building a theater when he was the conductor of Riga Theatre. Due to the problem of funds and fleeing abroad for more than ten years, this matter was not put on the agenda until 1864. 1864, Bavarian king Louis II summoned Wagner in Munich and showed him that he was an ideal monarch. So, we hired a famous architect, Gotthard Zepper, to design the sketch and decided to build it in Munich. The design is perfect, which makes Wagner and the king very satisfied. However, because the theater needs huge funds, this plan was unanimously opposed by Pavlija government officials. So the hope of building a theater in Munich was like a flash in the pan.
187 1 year, at the suggestion of Hans Perot, a friend and conductor, Wagner took his wife (ex-wife) Kosima to Barrett town to watch. Barrett left a very good impression on Wagner. In a letter to a friend, he said, "The environment in beaufort completely meets my expectations. I finally decided to live here and let me realize my great plan here. " Wagner's plan was welcomed by Barrett residents, who eagerly hoped that it could be realized at an early date. Due to the wishes of the people, all aspects of work are going very smoothly. At the suggestion of his friend, talented pianist Tao Jigger, Wagner is going to issue 300 Dara support securities to raise funds. Tao carried out this plan in 187 1 year, but failed to complete it because of his premature death. However, this initiative was inherited. In the Wagner Association in Mannheim and other cities, including foreign countries, some Wagner admirers followed suit and finally raised 300,000 marks, equivalent to one third of the total budget. Among them, the King of Egypt donated 1 10,000 marks, Hans Polokon donated 40,000 marks from his own concert income, and Wagner's own concert income was 47,000 marks. 1872 On May 22nd, Wagner's 59th birthday, the groundbreaking ceremony for the theater was held in Barrett. Wagner spoke at the banquet; And pointed out the commemorative performance of Beethoven's ninth symphony. Due to the exhaustion of funds, the project encountered a crisis halfway. Until the beginning of 1874, Bavarian king Louis II promised 300,000 marks, plus Wagner's own concert income of170,000 marks, to ensure the smooth progress of the project.
1In April, 874, the Wagner family moved into Bellette and lived in a villa called "Dream Village". This villa is close to the theatre. Wagner always watches the construction of the theater and actively prepares for the public performance to celebrate the completion of the theater. 1875, when the theater was not finished, singers gathered in Barrett to rehearse The Ring of Nibelungen. 1876 In August, Wagner finally realized his wish for many years, and three plays "The Ring of Nibelungen" were staged for the first time in the newly-built Baxter Theatre. The completion of the theater and the performance of this opera attracted people from all walks of life to visit Byford. German Emperor William I, Brazilian Emperor Peter Alekseyevich Romanov and Bavarian King Louis II all attended the premiere. Famous musicians from many countries also came to celebrate and watch. Liszt is from Weimar, Saint-Sang is from Paris, and Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky is from Russia.
After the Barrett Theatre was completed, Wagner began to compose his last opera percival, a mysterious religious drama by Ichiro, which profoundly reflected Wagner's negative world outlook of converting to religion in his later period. Wagner wrote a paper entitled "Art and Religion" in the early 1980s. In his thesis, he asserted that music can only become a real art if it is combined with religion. Parsifal's artistic practice is guided by this theory.
After 1879, Wagner spent four winters in Italy for physical reasons. 188 1 In the spring of, Wagner went to Berlin to attend the premiere of Fantasy Dusk. Amid cheers, he suddenly turned pale and hurried back to the lounge. Bouts of severe heart pain threatened his life. Wagner survived tenaciously, but since then his health has been deteriorating. 1882, Wagner returned to Barrett, where he attended the premiere of "parsifal" and personally conducted in the last performance. Later, Wagner returned to Venice to recuperate, and finally died in Venice on February 1883+03 due to a recurrence of heart disease.
Wagner's body was transported to Barrett via Munich. At 2 pm on February 16, a special car carrying Wagner and his family left Munich, and countless people gathered at every stop along the way to pray silently. At night, at Munich station, there are thousands of Wagner admirers, waiting with torches; Hundreds of flags were hung when the car pulled out of the station. Play the funeral March in Wagner's masterpiece Strange Dusk. When the train arrived at Baixiate, the whole station was filled with loud cries. Every household has a black flag tied to the door and a street lamp wrapped in cloth. A huge funeral procession slowly crossed the street. The news of Wagner's death soon spread all over the world, and condolences flew from all directions. Verdi was very sad when he learned the bad news. He wrote in a letter to a friend, "Sadness! Sad! Sad! Wagner is dead! ! ! The great man disappeared, a name that left a great mark on cultural history! ! ! "The sculptor Oxda reconstructed the body of the deceased with plaster. Wagner's wife, Hosema, was devastated. She cut off a golden hair and put it in a coffin to accompany her husband forever.
Wagner's operas and other works
Opera:
Married Die Hochzeit (1832, Leipzig 1838)
Fein Mould (1833-34, Munich 1888)
The forbidden love (Palermo's sister) Ribers von Palermo (1834-36, magdeburg 1836).
Li Enqi, the last tribune in Rome, was named Rienzi, Derletzte der Tribune (1837-40, Dresden 1842).
Wandering Dutch (1840-4 1, Dresden 1843)
Don Hauser and Wartburg's singing contest Tannhaeuser und der Saengerkrieg auf Wartburg (1842-45, Dresden 1845).
Lohengreen (1845-48, Weimar 1850)
Tristan and isolde Tristan and isolde (1856-59, Munich 1865).
The famous singer Diemeister Singer von Nuernberg in Nuremberg (1845-67, Munich 1868).
The Ring of Nibelungen: The Ring of Nibelungen for three days and one day (Bayreuther 1876).
Last night: Rhein Gold * Vorabend: Darin Gold (185 1-54, Munich 1869)
The first day of drama: Valkyria * Worcester Label: Die Walkuere (1851-56, Munich 1870).
The second day drama: Siegfried (185 1-7 1, Bayreuther 1876).
The third day drama: Twilight in the Divine World * Dritter Label: Goetterdaemmerung (1848-1874, Bayreuther 1876).
Parsifal, parsifal (1865-82, Bayreuther 1882)
Other works: Siegfried's Pastoral, Wesendonk's Song and so on.
Main musical works: Art and Revolution, Future Works of Art, Opera and Drama.