Richard Wagner

Wilhelm Richard Wagner (1813– 1883) was a German composer, conductor, theatere director and essayist, primarily known for his operas (or "music dramas", as they were later called). Unlike most other great opera composers, Wagner wrote both the scenario and libretto for his works.

Wagner's compositions, particularly those of his later period, are notable for contrapuntal texture, rich chromaticism, harmonies and orchestration, and elaborate use of leitmotifs: musical themes associated with particular characters, locales or plot elements. Wagner pioneered advances in musical language, such as extreme chromaticism and quickly shifting tonal centres, which greatly influenced the development of European classical music.

Wagner expressed extensive racist sentiments in his life. He wrote several tracts denouncing the influence of Jews on German music. A half-century after his death, the German Nazi Party appropriated Wagner's music, due in part to his simultaneous German nationlism and implied anti-Semitism.

Richar Wagner in In the Presence of Mine Enemies
Susanna Weiss occasionally listened to the work of Richard Wagner as camoflauge. She actually quite hated him for his views on race. She agreed with Jerome K. Jerome's assessment of Wagner's as being overblown.