The Influence of Friedrich Nietzsche on Richard Wagner
The German composer, theatre director, polemicist, and conductor, Richard Wagner, is best known for his operas. He also wrote librettos for his operas and was a polemicist. In this article, we'll examine his influence from Friedrich Nietzsche, his opposition to jewry, his reforms at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, and his marriage to Cosima von Bulow.
Friedrich Nietzsche's Influence on Richard Wagner
Friedrich Nietzsche's influence on Richard Wagner was evident in the late period of Wagner's life. Nietzsche regarded Wagner as an ideal worthy opponent, someone he disagreed with but still considered a peer. Through these battles, Nietzsche sought to learn more about himself. Nietzsche saw Wagner as an example of the disease of decadence in culture and sought to demonstrate the way in which individual revitalization can cure culture.
Friedrich Nietzsche was a young and newly appointed professor of philology at the University of Basel. He was already a talented pianist and composer of small pieces of music, but he was also deeply affected by the political and cultural revolution in the era. Nietzsche and Wagner were drawn to a shared love of music and art. Friedrich Nietzsche's love of Cosima was intellectually stimulating and beautiful.
Friedrich Nietzsche's writings had a profound impact on thinkers of the 20th century. However, his mental health collapsed in 1889 and he spent the next 11 years in a feeble state. Nietzsche did not realize the extent of his influence, even though the Nazi party looked to him for inspiration. Though his ideas were not directly related to Nazi ideologies, the Nazis used Nietzsche's words to justify their actions.
Wagner's Opposition to Jewry
One of the most controversial aspects of Wagner's works is his opposition to the Jews. He opposed the right of Jews to full citizenship in Germany and also favored the emigration of German Jews. His anti-Semitic writings contributed to Hitler's theories of racial purity. This anti-Semitism predates the creation of Israel in 1948. In 1938, Palestine orchestra banned Wagner from their concert series, citing his anti-Semitic writings. In 1990, the Berlin Philharmonic toured Israel under the leadership of Daniel Barenboim.
Before the anti-Jewish essay, Wagner's negative image of Jewish composers was not related to his Jewish ancestry. But after the essay, the negative image of Jewish composers was firmly connected with his Jewish descent. The anti-Semitism was no longer an accidental part of Wagner's artistic output; it was a central aspect of his personality.
In his 1850 book Judaism in Music, Wagner articulated his anti-Semitic views. He accused Jewish musicians of being the ultimate source of substanceless music and distorted values in the arts. His anti-Semitism has remained a source of controversy ever since.
Wagner's Reforms at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus
The Bayreuth Festspielhaus opened in 1873. In August of that year, the roof was raised. At the time, the Bayreuth Festspielhaus was at risk of bankruptcy. Fortunately, King Ludwig agreed to lend the festival some money. Despite the uncertainty that arose, the city opted to go with Wagner's plans.
In 1871, the Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth was too small for a performance of his 'Ring'. King Ludwig was a patron and encouraged Wagner to return to work on the opera. After all, the Margravial Opera House is not a proper amphitheatre.
To create a proper opera house, Wagner first had to raise the money for the project. He used money from ticket sales, certificates, and a loan from Ludwig to pay for the project. In 1876, Wagner staged his new opera, Ring der Nibelungen, and the Bayreuth Festspielhaus became an important landmark in the history of theatre.
Wagner's Marriage to Cosima von Bulow
Wagner's marriage to Cosima Von Bulow was a love affair between the composer and a young girl from Austria. The young girl was the daughter of Franz Liszt, a Hungarian composer and pianist. Her mother was the romantic novelist Marie d'Agoult. The couple was married in 1790. Their relationship was noted for its beauty, but there are many questions surrounding this marriage.
Cosima von Bulow was born an illegitimate daughter of Franz Liszt. Her father was unhappy with her unconventional birth and pushed her marriage to a young pianist named Hans von Bulow. The two met through Wagner, who was an expatriate from Saxony in Switzerland. After Wagner met her, the pair married, and she had four daughters. They were divorced after a decade of marriage.
Cosima von Bulow was a fan of Wagner. She spent many nights with him at his concerts, including one of his most famous works, the Tannhauser overture. Despite this scandal, they continued to meet and married. The marriage lasted nearly four years and resulted in the birth of two daughters. Cosima was Wagner's muse and his protector. In spite of the scandal, she was the first woman to marry a famous musician.
