wagner

IPA/wˈaɡnə/
KK[wˈæɡnɚ]IPA/wˈæɡnər/

wagner — noun

1. the German composer Richard Wagner (1813–1883), famous for writing long, dramati

1.nounB1
Definition

the German composer Richard Wagner (1813–1883), famous for writing long, dramatic operas such as 'The Ring of the Nibelung' and 'Tristan und Isolde', which changed the way music was written for the stage.

Example

Last night, the Taipei Symphony Orchestra performed Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" to a full house.

possessive + composition title

The Watanabe family travelled to Bayreuth to see Wagner's complete Ring cycle live.

verb: see / attend + Wagner's [work]

Common collocations
  • Wagner's music
  • Wagner opera
  • Wagner's Ring cycle
  • the music of Wagner
  • Wagner fan

Usage Note

Wagner's name commonly appears in possessive form (Wagner's) before a composition title, a musical technique, or a biographical detail. The adjective 'Wagnerian' is used for works or ideas that share his dramatic, large-scale style.

Common Mistakes

I listened to Wagener's opera.
I listened to Wagner's opera.
the composer's surname is spelled 'Wagner', not 'Wagener'.
Wagner was a French composer.
Wagner was a German composer.
Wagner was born in Leipzig, Germany, and his work belongs to the German Romantic tradition.

Word family

  • Wagnerian
    adjectiveC1
  • Wagnerism
    nounC2

Common collocations

Nouns

  • Wagner opera
  • Wagner fan
  • Wagnerite

Phrases

  • the music of Wagner
  • the works of Wagner

Prepositions

  • by Wagner
  • of Wagner

Etymology

Middle High GermanGermanEnglish

The surname Wagner comes from Middle High German 'wagenære', meaning a person who builds or drives wagons. Richard Wagner, the famous composer, was born in Leipzig in 1813 and died in Venice in 1883.