喜爱西洋古典歌剧的人们,对理查德·瓦格纳的名字一定不会感到陌生。他与莫扎特、威尔第和穆索尔斯基并列为四大歌剧大师。但很少有音乐家象瓦格纳那样,生前集褒贬于一身。对某些人来说,他是个海盗;另一些人却认为他是位不可思议的音乐大师。瓦格纳一生中虽历遭失败与挫折,但他仍然百折不挠,对自己的才能与艺术充满信心。理查德·瓦格纳1813年5月 People who love Western classical operas must not be strange to Richard Wagner’s name. He and Mozart, Verdi and Mussorgsky tied for the four masters of the opera. Few musicians, however, like Wagner, are celebrated in their lifetime. For some, he was a pirate; others thought he was an incredible master of music. Despite his failure and frustration in his life, Wagner is still indomitable and full of confidence in his talents and art. Richard Wagner, May 1813