Wilhem Richard Wagner, known by Richard, was born in Leipzig, Germany on May 22, 1813. Richard Wagner led a controversial life and is known as one of the greatest composers most influential in the world. It is also famous for operas such as the four-part, 18-hour Ring Cycle and Tristan Isolde. Wagner led an influential life without ever losing self-confidence due to financial debt due to the lack of success of his operas and the fact that he was too ill to even compose his music. Richard Wagner is the perfect example of why a person should never give up. Through Wagner's perseverance and courage, he became a widely known and highly successful musical icon of the Romantic period. Wagner was born of German descent and was the ninth child in his family. His parents are Carl and Johanna Wagner. His father died when he was only six months old, and Wagner was raised by his stepfather, Ludwig Geyer. At the age of seven, in 1820, Wagner began practicing piano with lessons from a Latin teacher at Pastor Wetzel's school. Wagner quickly took to the piano and by 1827 Wagner had written a piano transcription for Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Wagner was inspired not only by Beethoven, but also by Mozart and Wilhelmine Schröder-Devrient. In 1831, Wagner joined the Studentenverbindung Corps Saxonia Leipzig at the University of Leipzig. Here Wagner impressed the cantor of St. Thomas Church and received free music lessons. Shortly after becoming a member of the Studentenverbindung Corps Saxonia Leipzig, Wagner obtained a position as choir director in 1833. It was also in 1833 that Wagner completed his very first opera, “The Fairies”. After the completion of his first opera, in 1834, Wagner met the love of his life with whom he would soon fall in love, Minna P...... middle of paper ......ard Wagner. Wagner was very passionate about Beethoven and his music, and from the age of fifteen he was writing keyboard and orchestral works influenced by Beethoven. Not only was Richard Wagner inspired by others, but Wagner also inspired others himself. Wagner's great operas help set the stage for cinematic work. Wagner is known for contributing to the development of the structure of harmony. Schoenberg, Dvorak, and Bruckner are just a few that Richard Wagner inspired with his musical abilities and everything he did. Richard Wagner accomplished a lot during his life despite all his depressions and difficulties. Wagner leaves behind a wonderful legacy not only of music, but also of his writings and operas. Richard Wagner had some tough times in his life but still managed to get through it and produce several operas that will be remembered forever.