Best known for the challenging four-opera cycle The Ring of the Nibelung , Richard Wagner (1813-83) was a conductor, librettist, theater director, and essayist, in addition to being the composer of some of the most enduring operatic works in history, such as The Flying Dutchman , Tannh user , and Tristan and Isolde . Though his influence on the development of European music is indisputable, Wagner was also quite outspoken on the politics and culture...