What Happened

Easy to read full book summaries for any book.

My Life — Volume 2

By Richard Wagner

Summary of My Life — Volume 2

The book is a biographical account of Richard Wagner's life, covering his time in Zurich, Paris, and Germany. The narrative delves into Wagner's personal and professional struggles, as well as his passions and relationships. In Zurich, Wagner settled with his wife Minna and befriended several influential people, including Karl Ritter, Hans von Bülow, and Georg Herwegh. Despite struggling with poor health, Wagner continued to work on his music, including his operas "Lohengrin" and "Meistersinger", and wrote his book "Oper und Drama". He also gave concerts and lectures, showcasing his radical ideas about music and art. Wagner's travels took him to Italy and London, where he conducted concerts and expanded his network of acquaintances. However, his time in Paris was marked by difficulties, including the failure of his opera "Tannhauser", which led to his withdrawal from the city. Ultimately, Wagner settled in Biebrich, near Mayence, where he worked on his music and began making plans for his future, including a potential concert in Vienna. Throughout the book, Wagner's intense personality, strong opinions, and passionate relationships with others are revealed, providing a comprehensive portrait of the composer's life and career.

Chapter Summary of My Life — Volume 2

MY LIFE, VOLUME 2 (ENGLISH TRANSLATION PUBLISHED IN NEW YORK, 1911)

The chapter describes Richard Wagner's life in Zurich, where he settled with his wife Minna. He became acquainted with several people, including Karl Ritter, a young musician who became his protégé, and Hans von Bülow, a talented pianist and conductor. Wagner also met Georg Herwegh, a poet, and his wife, and they became close friends. Wagner's health was poor, and he suffered from erysipelas, a skin condition. He also became interested in the water cure, a treatment that involved drinking large quantities of water and taking cold baths. Despite his health issues, Wagner continued to work on his music, including his opera "Lohengrin" and his book "Oper und Drama". He also gave concerts and lectures, and became known for his radical ideas about music and art. Wagner's relationships with his friends and acquaintances were often intense and passionate, and he was deeply affected by the death of his friend Theodor Uhlig. The chapter also describes Wagner's travels, including a trip to Italy, where he visited Genoa and Spezia, and a journey to London, where he conducted concerts for the Philharmonic Society. Throughout the chapter, Wagner's personality and character are revealed, including his passion, intensity, and strong opinions about music and art.

MY LIFE, VOLUME 2 (OF 2) PART III

The chapter describes Richard Wagner's life in Zurich, where he settled with his wife Minna. He became acquainted with several people, including Karl Ritter, a young musician, and Hans von Bülow, a talented pianist and conductor. Wagner also met Georg Herwegh, a poet, and his wife, and they became close friends. Wagner's health was poor, and he suffered from erysipelas, a skin condition. He also became interested in the water cure, a treatment that involved drinking large quantities of water and taking cold baths. Despite his health issues, Wagner continued to work on his music, including his opera "Lohengrin" and his book "Oper und Drama". He also gave concerts and lectures, and became known for his radical ideas about music and art. Wagner's relationships with his friends and acquaintances were often intense and passionate, and he was deeply affected by the death of his friend Theodor Uhlig. The chapter also describes Wagner's travels, including a trip to Italy, where he visited Genoa and Spezia, and a journey to London, where he conducted concerts for the Philharmonic Society. Throughout the chapter, Wagner's personality and character are revealed, including his passion, intensity, and strong opinions about music and art.

PART IV

The chapter describes Richard Wagner's life in Paris, where he faced numerous challenges and setbacks in his attempts to stage his operas. He met with various people, including Princess Metternich, who offered him support and encouragement. Wagner also became acquainted with Emil Erlanger, a banker who offered to manage his financial affairs. Despite these connections, Wagner's time in Paris was marked by difficulties, including the failure of his opera "Tannhauser" and his subsequent withdrawal from the city. He then traveled to Germany, where he visited his friends and family, and eventually settled in Biebrich, near Mayence. There, he worked on his opera "Meistersinger" and became involved with the Schott family, who were music publishers. Wagner also met with various other musicians and composers, including Liszt and Bulow, and began to make plans for his future, including a potential concert in Vienna. Throughout the chapter, Wagner's personal and professional struggles are evident, as he navigates the challenges of his career and his relationships with others.