Richard Wagner

German composer and poet who was a controversial and fascinating genius of the European artistic scene. He was known for writing dramatic operas with a revolutionary technique and did his first symphony at the age of 19. Largely self educated, he became the music director at theatres in Magdeburg 1834-1836, Konigsberg in 1836 and Riga 1837-1842. Participation in the 1849 revolution forced Wagner into exile in Switzerland during which his style of opera changed and he began writing operas in the early 50's. With his second wife, Cosima Liszt, they settled in Bayreuth, where together they developed the Bayreuth Festival opening in 1876, continuing even after their deaths.