Wilhem Richard Wagner, known as Richard, was born in Leipzig, Germany, on May 22, 1813. Richard Wagner led a controversial life and is known as one of the most influential composers in the world. He is also famous for his works such as the four-part 18-hour Ring Cycle and Tristan Isolde. Wagner led an influential life without ever losing faith in himself due to financial debt due to the failure of his operas or being too ill to even compose his music. Richard Wagner is the perfect example of why a person should never give up. With Wagner's perseverance and courage he became a highly successful and widely known musical icon of the Romantic period. Wagner was born in Germany 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 the piano with lessons from a Latin teacher at Pastor Wetzel's school. Wagner quickly learned to play the piano, and by 1827 Wagner had written a piano transcription for Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. Wagner was not only inspired 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. Not long after becoming a member of the Leipzig Saxony Student Body, Wagner obtained a position as choral conductor in 1833. Also in 1833 Wagner completed his first opera, "The Fairies." After the completion of his first opera, in 1834 Wagner met the love of his life with whom he soon fell in love, Minna P......middle of paper......ard Wagner. Wagner was very passionate about Beethoven and his music and at the young age of fifteen was writing keyboard and orchestral works which had the influence of Beethoven. Not only was Richard Wagner inspired by others, but Wagner also inspired others. Wagner's great operas help set the stage for cinematic work. Wagner is known for having contributed 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 achieved a lot in his life despite all his depressions and difficulties. Wagner leaves behind a wonderful legacy of not only music, but also his writings and operas. Richard Wagner went through difficult times in his life, but he still managed to make it through and produce several operas that will be remembered forever.