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)
Without music, life would be a mistake.
The redemption of the individual through love is the core of my artistic striving.
The greatest happiness is to know the source of unhappiness.
Art is the highest form of human activity.
The curse of gold is the central theme of my 'Ring'.
The poet's task is to make the inexpressible felt.
My kingdom is not of this world.
The artist of the future will be the people.
To be free means to be responsible for oneself.
The greatest genius is the most indebted man.
I am writing 'Tristan', the most full-blooded musical conception imaginable.
Contemporaries of Richard Wagner
Other Musics born within 50 years of Richard Wagner (1813–1883).