Explore the works of
Wagner

A preview of our collection of performances featuring the works of Richard Wagner, one of the foremost figures of Western classical music.

Sign up and start watching

About Wagner

Where does one even start tracing the impact German composer, theatre director, polemicist, and conductor Richard Wagner (1813 - 1883) had on the Western musical canon - and beyond? His impact extends far beyond the stage, and his legacy is a thorny, albeit fascinating one, remaining a captivating subject that stimulates ongoing discussion and contemplation.

Born in Leipzig, Wagner lived through a childhood marked by instability and financial hardship. The ninth child of Carl Friedrich Wagner, a police clerk, and Johanna Rosine Wagner, his early years were disorderly, thanks to the death of his father when he was an infant, which plunged the family into misery, and his mother's following marriage to a traveling actor, which caused the family to move often. The young Wagner found comfort in music, beginning piano lessons at the age of six and starting to compose his works at the tender age of nine. His sights were set then and there.

After studying music and composition in Leipzig, Wagner worked tirelessly as a conductor and composer in various theaters across the country. Undeterred by the lackluster reception of his first opera, 1833's 'Die Feen', Wagner was relentless in his pursuits of becoming a successful composer, and, in the mid 19th century, his luck finally started to change. Operas such as 'Rienzi' and 'Der fliegende Holländer' started capturing concert-goers' attention thanks to his innovative approach to opera and storytelling.

Monumental works, the kind that fully put Wagner's gargantuan ambitions on display, such as 'Der Ring des Nibelungen', 'Tristan und Isolde', and 'Die Walküre' followed suite. Featuring sprawling storylines and grand musical and dramatic structures, These masterpieces solidified Wagner's reputation as a transformative figure in the opera genre.

Still, Wagner was not widely beloved; friend turned rival German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche famously called him 'a great corrupter of youth', expressing disappointment towards Wagner's extremely nefarious views. Wagner was infamously profoundly anti-Semitic, and the views expressed on writings of his such as 'Das Judenthum in der Music (Judaism in Music)' were used to serve the Nazi agenda decades later.

Ever the tumultuous figure, Wagner's life was characterized until the end by political exile, chaotic love affairs, poverty, repeated flight from his creditors, and, towards its latter part, amounting health problems. Still, the composer worked on his final opera, 'Parsifal', up until he died of a heart attack in 1883. The influence has far outlived the man and can be found in conducting, philosophy, literature, the visual arts, theater, and more.

Discover the music of Richard Wagner

Concerts featuring R. Wagner
Watch All Concerts

Choose your subscription plan

Frequently Asked
Questions

What is Symphony.live?

Symphony.live is a video streaming platform committed to uniting the world’s orchestras. We believe in demystifying the wonderful world of classical music, striving to make it more approachable for diverse audiences through innovative viewing experiences. Our growing family of orchestras and their stories are at the forefront of everything we do. We curate a diverse array of concerts, playlists, in-depth explorations, and more. Our family of orchestras includes The Cleveland Orchestra, Budapest Festival Orchestra, Czech Philharmonic, Tonhalle-Orchester Zürich, Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, and others. This is your chance to get closer than ever to the music you love!

How does the free trial work?

For a 7-day free trial, curious users can try Symphony.live for free. During these 7 days, you can enjoy all of our content in full - and with no strings attached. During the trial period, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to join us or not, so feel free to cancel at any time. There are two types of subscriptions we offer: monthly ($6,99/month) and annual ($49,99/year). 

Note: prices may vary per country.

How/where can I watch Symphony.live?

With Symphony.live, you can watch anywhere, anytime. As well as accessing online through Symphony.live, you can take your favorite concert experiences with you wherever you go, thanks to our mobile apps for iOS and Android.

You can also watch directly on your television via Roku, Android TV,  Google TV, Apple TV, Amazon FireTV, and on recent Samsung and LG TV sets.

Currently, we are available in the following locations:

(Europe:) Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom;

(Americas:) Brazil, Canada, Mexico, United States of America;

(Asia-Pacific:) Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea;

Note: more platforms and regions will be added soon.

What content does Symphony.live offer?

We would like to think there is something for everyone at Symphony.live. Whether you're a history buff looking to explore some of history's greatest musical minds, a connoisseur of the concert hall looking for your favorite performance, or simply looking to throw some relaxing classical music on in the background while you work, we’ve got you covered. From exclusive concert performances to deep-dive documentaries and our very own Close Up series, we ensure the classical music fan never runs out of content to watch. Plus, our hard-working team of experts regularly curates hand-picked playlists for every mood you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re in the mood for Vivaldi or Zimmer, you will never get bored; we are constantly revamping our collection with new music!

What quality does Symphony.live offer?

We understand the importance of experiencing classical music in mint condition. To help with your immersive experience, we always strive to provide you with the highest quality possible. We also have a selection of 5.1 digital surround sound available. Moreover, through our Wolfgang collaboration, select concert videos come with captions, enriching your viewing experience by providing a deeper understanding of the beautiful music on your screen.

How many devices can stream simultaneously?

You can stream Symphony.live on two devices simultaneously.

How can I cancel?

You can cancel at any time, directly from your profile page on the Symphony.live website.

How can I contact Symphony.live if I need account support and/or troubleshooting?

If you need support about your account, billing details, or encounter problems, please go to our help & support section or send a mail to support@symphony.live