Event Details: Notes on Music: Richard Wagner, with Joseph Illick

Richard Wagner (1813-1883) was a German composer, conductor, theatre director and polemicist primarily known for his operas. Wagner developed a new musical language, a new concept of theater, invented the orchestra pit, devised new instruments, and revolutionized the operatic form forever.

Wagner's compositions are notable for their complex texture, rich harmonies and orchestration, and the elaborate use of leitmotifs: musical themes associated with individual characters, places, ideas or plot elements. Wagner wrote both the music and libretto for every one of his stage works. Perhaps the two best-known extracts from his works are the Ride of the Valkyries from the opera Die Walküre, and the Wedding March (Bridal Chorus) from the opera Lohengrin.

Wagner had his own opera house built, the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, which contained many novel design features. His extensive writings on music, drama and politics have all attracted extensive comment. Wagner achieved all of this despite a life characterized, until his last decades, by political exile, turbulent love affairs, poverty and repeated flight from his creditors. His pugnacious personality and often outspoken views on music, politics and society made him a controversial figure. The effect of his ideas can be traced in many of the arts throughout the twentieth century.

Joseph Illick has been Executive and Artistic Director of the Santa Fe Concert Association since 2008. Mr. Illick is also Music Director and Principal Conductor of Fort Worth Opera. As a concert pianist, he is active as a piano soloist and chamber musician in Europe and in the United States. As a composer, his symphonic works have been performed in New York, Washington, Dallas and Santa Fe.

Ticket Prices: $20, Student discount available