Numbers
How old was Wagner when he died?
70
What language did Wagner speak?
German (He was from Leipzig, Germany)
Why was Wagner a fugitive?
He owed lots of people lots of money
Who wrote the words to most of Wagner's Musical Dramas?
Wager did.
Who used a bigger orchestra: Wagner or Rossini?
Wagner used a MUCH bigger orchestra
What significant life event(s) happened when Wagner was 15?
He began to study composition and heard Beethoven for the first time.
Describe Wagner as a piano student
He was a very irresponsible student (wouldn't do what the teacher said), but he was an amazing student (could play anything by ear).
Name three virtues that Wagner did NOT show
integrity, honesty, humility, friendship, etc...
Who supported Wagner and protected him against the law
The King of Germany
Why is Wagner's music so hard to sing?
It's very high, loud, has lots of words, and requires lots of stamina
What significant life event happened when Wagner was 27?
How many Operas did Wagner have to write to have his first success?
3
Name one of Wagner's building inventions
Orchestra pit, dimly lit audience
How many Operas (Musical Dramas) are in The Ring Cycle?
4
What is leit motif?
Using musical things to represent characters, places, ideas, and things.
What significant life event(s) happened when Wagner was 33?
Not good stuff: he was unemployed, broke, and away from the German musical world.
How did Wagner's mother and step-father contribute to his artistic growth?
They took him to plays and musical performances when he was young.
Name one of the instruments that Wagner invented
Wagner tuba, bass trumpet, or contrabass trombone
What is one way Wagner made money that was NOT composing music?
He was a conductor
Why did Wagner call them Musical Dramas instead of Operas?
What significant life event happened when Wagner was 63?
The Ring Cycle premiered!!!!
What attracted Wagner to the music of Beethoven?
Beethoven has an amazing use of musical storytelling without the use of words.
How long did it take Wagner to write The Ring Cycle
26 years
Name two different leit motifs in Wagner Opera
Valkuries, Sword, Love, Horse, Fire, Rivers, Faries, Giants, etc...
It means "total work of art". It's the idea by which Wagner elevates the idea of mere "Opera" to Musical Dramas.