MUSIC 1AA3 Lecture Notes - Cosima Wagner, Franz Liszt, Nibelung
13 Apr 2013
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Document Summary
Antisemitic writings, but had jewish friends in private. Left-wing radical, involved in uprising in 1849, ed to switzerland where he chilled for 10 years: married twice, 2nd wife was cosima liszt (3 children before married in 1870), daughter of franz liszt. He was poor, but in 1864 king ludwig ii of bavaria gave him some cash (he really liked wagner"s music) 1876 built large opera house (festspielhaus) just for his operas in beyreuth (bavaria) and marie d"agoult. He traveled all around to avoid paying debts (riga, paris, dresden, zurich, bayrouth, venice) Libretti by wagner, based on old germanic legend (he was cocky, so libretted from himself) Folllows struggles of gods/heroes ghting over a magical ring that grants domination. Drama and intrigue continue through 3 generations of protagonists, until ring is returned to rhine and gods are consumed by re: monumental work - over 15 hours (like the lord of the rings!, wotan, chief of the gods.
