Richard Wagner (composer)

Richard Wagner was a 19th-century German composer known for his revolutionary approach to opera. He crafted complex, emotionally powerful works that combine music, drama, and visual elements into a total artistic experience called "music drama." Wagner's innovations include the use of leitmotifs—recurring musical themes representing characters or ideas—and his idea of the Gesamtkunstwerk, or "total work of art." His most famous compositions, such as *The Ring Cycle*, had a profound influence on Western music and opera, blending mythic storytelling with innovative orchestration and harmony. While celebrated for his creativity, his controversial political views also mark his complex legacy.