
Opera For Everyone Ep. 138 Rienzi, The Last of the Tribunes, by Wagner
Jan 12, 2026
02:04:21
Richard Wagner’s first truly successful opera, set in medieval Rome, sees a young nobleman in love with a young plebeian woman. While this might sound like it’s going to be an operatic love story, it’s quite a different thing entirely: Grand Opera, Wagner-style. Based on a controversial and visionary historical figure who became a footnote, but aspired to change the face of history, it has soaring music, but this opera is less concerned with romance than the fortunes of a leader trying to accumulate power in order to bring peace and equality to his people.
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For more cultural and arts commentary by Kathleen Van De Wille, visit Constructive Criticism on Substack.
