The Great Operas of Richard Wagner is a detailed account of the life and work of Wagner by Gustav Kobbé, with a particular focus on his operatic compositions. Wilhelm Richard Wagner (1813 – 1883) was a German composer, theatre director, polemicist, and conductor. He is most famous for his operatic compositions, which were notable for their complex textures, rich harmonies and orchestration, and the elaborate use of leitmotifs. Notable operas by this composer include: Die Feen , Das Liebesverbot , and Rienzi . This fascinating volume is highly recommended for lovers of opera and is not to be missed by those with an interest in the life and work of one of it’s greatest contributors. Gustav Kobbé (1857 – 1918) was an American author and music critic famous for his guide to the operas, The Complete Opera Book , (1919). Other notable works by this author include: The Ring of the Nibelung (1887), Wagner’s Life and Works (1890), and New York and its Environs (1891). Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this book now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially-commissioned new introduction on the history of the theatre.