Richard Wagner
Revolutionary opera composer, Gesamtkunstwerk
Most quoted
"The error in the art-genre of Opera consists herein: that a Means of expression (Music) has been made the end, while the End of expression (the Drama) has been made a means."
— from Opera and Drama, 1851
"The destiny of us musicians is to be the first artists to disappear from this earth; for after all, what have we got to do with a world from which beauty is vanishing?"
— from Letter
"Where the world is nothing but a dream, there is no need for a world to be. But where the world is a dream, there is a need for a world to be dreamed."
— from Letters
All quotes by Richard Wagner (411)
The artwork of the future will be a mirror of humanity.
The German people are the people of destiny.
The true artist is a hero.
The artwork of the future will be a revelation.
The artist must be a redeemer.
The German spirit is the spirit of eternity.
The true artist is a saint.
The artwork of the future will be a new religion.
The German people are the people of God.
The true artist is a messiah.
The artwork of the future will be a new world.
The artist must be a creator of worlds.
The German spirit is the spirit of the universe.
The true artist is a divine being.
The artwork of the future will be a new humanity.
The artist must be a god-like figure.
The German people are the chosen race.
The true artist is an immortal.
The artwork of the future will be a new era.
The artist must be a force of nature.
Contemporaries of Richard Wagner
Other Musics born within 50 years of Richard Wagner (1813–1883).