Wilhelm Richard Wagner (22 May 1813 – 13 February 1883) was a German Romantic period composer, essayist, theater director and conductor. He was chiefly known for his operas (or music dramas, when referring to his mature works).
Unlike most opera composers, Wagner wrote both the libretto and the music for each of his stage works. Initially establishing his reputation as a composer of works in the romantic vein of Carl Maria von Weber and Giacomo Meyerbeer, Wagner revolutionised opera through his concept of the Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art), whereby he sought to synthesise the poetic, visual, musical and dramatic arts, with music subsidiary to drama.
He has one of his music pieces used for the book, Musical Adventure.
