Richard Wagner

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A film biography of the 100th Anniversary

of the birth of The Great Master.

Part One:
His youth.

Eight years old, Richard Wagner is present at the death of his stepfather,

Ludwig Geyer, whose last words are: "Will Richard be musically gifted?"

Two years later, Richard spends an important night in Leipzig with his Uncle Adolf an Aunt

Frederike, sleeping in the ceremonial bed of August "the Strong" in the home of Jeannette Thom.

At the age of 17, Wagner studies

with Cantor Weinlich in Leipzig.

At a celebratory dinner by Polish revolutionaries fleeing

to Paris, Wagner discovers his talent for conducting.

In 1834 Wagner, now 21 years of age, takes on his first employment as conductor at Lauchtstdt - as he

had fallen in love at first sight, with the beautiful Minna Planer, the star of the theatre company.

The conductor gets engaged to the Minna

Planer - under extraordinary circumstances.

On 24. November 1836, Wagner leads his wife into their future home. To furnish it, Wagner has

incurred substantial debts, which is a great source of worry to the the practical Minna.

Invoice For the esteemed conductor Wagner at Knigsberg for

furnishing a domicile: 247 Reichstaler Blankenstein, Furniture Maker.

Part Two:

Years of constant travelling

Wagner is pursued by his creditios as far as Riga, where he has, since 1838, become conuctor

of the Theatre. As he doesn't possess a passport, he is forced to escape in secret.

Dear Wagner, Return fortwith! The police are in your

house, Minna is in despair. Your friend Mller.

In 1839, he lees from

Russia by sea to Paris.

The tumultuous journey by sea gives him

the ideas for his "The Flying Dutchman".

In Paris, Wagner plays his opera "Rienzi" for the composer Meyerbeer, who

gives him a letter of recommendation to the Director of the Grand Opera.

My exteemed Duponchel! Herewith I recommend to you the young Wagner and his opera

"Rienzi". Please take on its production! The opera is brilliant! Meyerbeer.

Meyerbeer's letter of recommendation,

however, has no effect on Director Duponchel.

Wagner visit the composer Liszt in his hotel

to get support, likewise without success.

Wagner is increasingly in need of help. "The Flying Dutchman" is tormenting his spirit,

and Minna's complaints are leading him to despair. He close to breaking-point...

Leipzig 26. February 1842 Dear Richard! I have just been informed that your opera "Rienzi" has been accepted by the

Royal Court Opera in Dresden. Come here at once; I enclose the money for your journey Your brother in law, Brockhaus.

On 20. October 1842, Wagner's "Rienzi" is performed by

the Royal Opera in Dresden and is a resounding success.

At the age of 30, Richard Wagner becomes

the Royal Court conductor in Dresen.

In an optimistic mood, he furnishes his house luxuriously,

which again instils fear and trepidation in Minna.

On 2. January 1843, however, Wagner's position is severely unnerved

by the premiere of "The Flying Dutchman" which is a fiasco.

This and other new worries

affect his musical endeavours.

Complaints about Wagner lead the Intendant Von Lttichau to

admonish him sternly and to inform him of the King's displeasure.

To our Indentant Our conductor Wagner appears to have formed the opinion by

overestimating his own talent, that he is on a par with the great Meyerbeer.

Consequently, he has made such grave mistakes that it would

certainly be worth considering to ask him to offer his resignation.

On the other hand, his zeal and extraordinary achievements, which

have been brought to our notice, warrant giving him another chance.

In which case, attention should most certainly be

paid to his material cirumstances. Augustus Rex.

On 10. October 1845, to compound this disaster, his opera

"Tannhuser", due poor attendance, is also a flop.

In this same period, Wagner is exchanging ideas about his musical reforms with

the Russian revolutionary, Bakunin, who was staying in Dresden at this time.

The Royal Court conductor carried away by the prevailing excitement, is led to

speak at a political gathering about freedom of art and the freedom of mankind.

Wagner openly takes part in the

subsquent riots in Dresden in 1849.

Thanks to a coincidence, he avoids being taken prisoner, and manages to flee, unlike his fellow revolutionaries

of the Preliminary Revolutionary Government, Hbner, Martin and Bakunin, who arrested and tried.

Liszt in Weimar provides Wagner with a false passport and the

necessary money, enabling him to cross the Swiss border.

Warrant for Arrest The Royal Court conductor Richard Wagner, described below, due to

appear in court for his part in the havoc played out in this town, is on the run.

Therefore, the police requested to arrest the said

Wagner immediately if and when he re-enters the country.

Dresden, 18. May 1849 Von

Oppel The City Commander

Wagner is aged 37-38, of average

height, with long brown hair.

Part Three:
Banishment.

His period in Zurich as a political refugee was extremely creative; In

November 1852 he recites his "Nibelungen Poems" to his circle of friends.

Inspired by the ideal relationship between himself and the beautiful wife

of his neighbor Otto Wesendonck, Wagner creates "Tristan and Isolde".

To my beloved Isolde Tristan.

Minna's jealousy and lack of tact destroys

not only, but also her own marriage.

In 1858, at the age of 45, Wagner

divorces his life's companion.

Lonely and deserted by all, he

now lives only for his work.

Broken and in despair in a guest house in Stuttgart, on 3. May 1864 he receives a message

from the new young King of Bavaria, Ludwig II., recalling him from his solitude.

His Majesty the King of Bavaria expresses his deep admiration for the Great Master and invites him to come to

Munich without delay. There he will find a comfortable home and every means to continue, unhindered, his creations.

Part four:
A royal friendship.

In an attempt to use the idolatrous friendship of the King for Wagner for their

own end, Ministers and Jesuits attempt, unsuccessfully, to bribe Wagner.

Appeal for the establishment of a Catholic Peaople's Bank. Lord Klindworth has decided with support of the Holy

Father, to establish a Catholic Bank. The signatories to this appeal agree fully and wholly with this plan.

The dress rehearsal for "Tristan and Isolde" takes place in June 1865

in the Residenz Theater in Munich, with the King as the sole spectator.

The hostile ministers and Jesuits turn Wagner's life in Munich

into hell by attacks in the papers and other intrigues.

To my Cabinet Secretary Pfistermeister To be paid to Mister Richard Wagner from the

Royal coffers 50.000 Reichsthaler as an interest-free advance for life. Ludwig II.

To do Mister Wagner a special favour, the sum

has to be paid in small change. Pfistermeister.

On higher orders, we herewith pay you 50.000 Reichsthaler as an

interest-free advance for life. The Holders of the Royal Coffers.

Away with the barricade man!

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