Minna Wagner: A Life, with Richard Wagner

Minna Planer, Richard Wagner's wife of 30 years, was a self-assured woman and artist who played a crucial role in his creative life. She endured poverty, nursed him through chronic illness, followed him across Europe, and sought to provide him with a stable domestic and erotic life. Despite their separation in 1858, they remained married until Minna's death in 1866.

Format: Hardback
Length: 376 pages
Publication date: 19 July 2022
Publisher: Boydell & Brewer Ltd

When Richard Wagner first encountered Minna Planer in 1834, he was an unknown conductor, while she was a popular actress. His relentless pursuit of her affection led to their marriage in 1836. Minna endured poverty alongside him, nursed him through chronic illness, accompanied him across Europe as he fled from creditors and pursued his artistic aspirations, and tirelessly sought to provide him with the stable domestic and erotic life that he craved. He shared his works with her as he wrote them, up to Tannhäuser and Lohengrin, and valued her opinions. However, when he went on the run as a wanted revolutionary, Minna reluctantly followed him into Swiss exile. Domestic tranquility briefly prevailed, but it was ultimately shattered by Wagner's passionate affair with Mathilde Wesendonck. In 1858, they separated, and Minna returned home to Germany. Subsequent attempts at reconciliation proved futile. They remained married until Minna's passing in 1866. Despite being by Richard's side during his transformation into the composer of The Ring and Tristan, Minna has often been overlooked by most Wagner commentators. In Eva Rieger's acclaimed biography, translated into English by Chris Walton, the author unveils Minna as a self-assured woman and artist who played a pivotal role in her husband's creative life.

When Richard Wagner first encountered Minna Planer in 1834, he was an unknown conductor, while she was a popular actress. His relentless pursuit of her affection led to their marriage in 1836. Minna endured poverty alongside him, nursed him through chronic illness, accompanied him across Europe as he fled from creditors and pursued his artistic aspirations, and tirelessly sought to provide him with the stable domestic and erotic life that he craved. He shared his works with her as he wrote them, up to Tannhäuser and Lohengrin, and valued her opinions. However, when he went on the run as a wanted revolutionary, Minna reluctantly followed him into Swiss exile. Domestic tranquility briefly prevailed, but it was ultimately shattered by Wagner's passionate affair with Mathilde Wesendonck. In 1858, they separated, and Minna returned home to Germany. Subsequent attempts at reconciliation proved futile. They remained married until Minna's passing in 1866. Despite being by Richard's side during his transformation into the composer of The Ring and Tristan, Minna has often been overlooked by most Wagner commentators. In Eva Rieger's acclaimed biography, translated into English by Chris Walton, the author unveils Minna as a self-assured woman and artist who played a pivotal role in her husband's creative life.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781648250453