Wilhelm Richard Wagner was born into a theatrical family during the Napoleonic Wars. His official father Carl Friedrich Wagner died six months after his birth.

Wagner's mother married actor and painter Ludwig Geyer, possibly Wagner's biological father. Geyer encouraged young Richard's artistic interests.

Young Wagner became entranced by Beethoven's symphonies and Weber's operas, deciding to become a musician. He taught himself composition from library books.

Wagner enrolled at Leipzig University to study music. He composed his first symphony and several overtures, showing precocious talent despite limited formal training.

Wagner became chorus master at the Wurzburg theater. He began composing his first complete opera Die Feen, though it would not be performed in his lifetime.

Wagner married actress Christine Wilhelmine Planer. Their tumultuous marriage would last until her death in 1866, marked by infidelity and financial troubles.

Deeply in debt, Wagner fled to Paris hoping for operatic success. Instead he spent three impoverished years doing hack work, though he completed Rienzi and The Flying Dutchman.

Rienzi premiered triumphantly in Dresden, establishing Wagner's reputation. He was appointed Royal Saxon Court Conductor, finally achieving financial stability.

Wagner premiered Tannhauser in Dresden, advancing his revolutionary ideas about music drama. The opera's failure in Paris years later became a famous scandal.

Wagner conceived his monumental four-opera Ring cycle, beginning with the libretto for Siegfrieds Tod. The project would consume 26 years to complete.

Wagner participated in the failed Dresden uprising and fled prosecution, beginning a 12-year exile. Franz Liszt helped him escape and supported him financially.

Inspired by his affair with Mathilde Wesendonck, Wagner composed Tristan und Isolde, revolutionizing harmony with its chromatic intensity and endless melody.

Young King Ludwig II of Bavaria, obsessed with Wagner's work, summoned him to Munich and paid all his debts. This began their legendary artistic partnership.

Wagner married Cosima, daughter of Franz Liszt and former wife of conductor Hans von Bulow. Their controversial affair had already produced three children.

Wagner opened his purpose-built Festspielhaus with the complete Ring cycle premiere. The festival fulfilled his dream of opera as total artwork.

Wagner's concept of Gesamtkunstwerk and leitmotif technique transformed opera. His influence extended to philosophy, literature, and visual arts, making him one of history's most controversial and influential composers.

Wagner's final opera Parsifal premiered at Bayreuth. He declared it should only be performed there, a wish honored until 1903.

Wagner died of a heart attack at the Palazzo Vendramin-Calergi. Cosima lay beside his body for 24 hours. His influence on music and culture remained immense.