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)
Music is the most powerful of all arts.
The artwork of the future will be the work of the people.
The artist must be a philosopher.
Music is the most spiritual of all arts.
The artwork of the future will be the work of the free man.
Music is the most universal of all arts.
The artwork of the future will be the work of the complete man.
The artist must be a savior.
Music is the most profound of all arts.
The artwork of the future will be the work of the human being.
Music is the most beautiful of all arts.
The artwork of the future will be the work of the free spirit.
The artist must be a king.
Music is the most truthful of all arts.
The artwork of the future will be the work of the true artist.
The artist must be a priest.
Music is the most noble of all arts.
The artwork of the future will be the work of the genius.
The artist must be a leader.
Music is the most perfect of all arts.
Contemporaries of Richard Wagner
Other Musics born within 50 years of Richard Wagner (1813–1883).