The Ring Cycle

Richard Wagner lived from 1813 to 1883 and wrote instrumental pieces and 13 operas. In the early years of his life, he showed no aptitude for music. In school, he abused the piano in such a way his teachers called it torcher. However, at age 16, he began composing music. He continued composing for the next 50 years. He was confident in himself and what he wrote.

Wagner's first symphony was performed in 1833, two years after he started attending Leipzig University. Wagner was inspired by Beethoven's work, especially his ninth symphony. In 1834, he wrote the words and music to his first opera, Die Feen (The Fairies). However, that work was not performed. 1836 was a big year for Wagner, he married Minna Planner and wrote Das Liebesverbot. He wrote his music in such a way that themes of love and redemption were woven in beautifully. For the next few years, Wagner would write several operas titled, Die Feen (The Fairies), Rienzi, The Flying Dutchman, Tannhäuser, and Lohengrin. He would be permitted in only some parts of Europe, and his operas could only be performed in certain places.He ran to Zurich in 1848. 

For 11 years, he was unable to enter Germany, and it was during this time he wrote works called Jewishness in Music, and he wrote his famous Ring Cycle. 

Der Ring des Nibelungen or Ring Cycle consists of four very big operas titled Das Rheingold, Die Walküre, Siegfried and Götterdämmerung. For the next four weeks, I will be writing about these operas. It should be fun studying four large german opera works. I usually listen to Italian operas, so studying four german operas for four weeks will be new.

I'm interested to know if any of you listen to opera works. If you do, which ones are your favorite? If not, why? Most people I know are not "opera fans" because of the heavy vibrato in their voice or they can't understand what the people are singing. Leave a comment on your thoughts of operas. 

Cheers,

Chloe Elizabeth