Wagner's operas, Wagner Biography, Triumph of the Swan

TRIUMPH OF THE SWAN

A Biographical Novel of composer Richard Wagner and King Ludwig II.

With his passport confiscated by the Russian Government and owing creditors in both Russia and Germany RICHARD WAGNER with his wife MINNA head for the Russian Border in an attempt to reach France to have his first opera produced.

The plan is to escape from Russia to Germany where he is also a wanted man and secretly board a ship bound for England then cross the channel to France where he hopes to have his traditional opera Rienzi produced.

Shortly thereafter a major breakthrough occurs as his second opera influenced by his daring escape by sea, Flying Dutchman is a great success in Germany and Wagner becomes famous.

Getting involved in a revolution to overthrow the Monarchy was Wagner's big downfall. He barely escapes capture for treason and moves to Switzerland in exile. While in exile in Zurich, Wagner writes an opera about the German Teutonic hero LOHENGRIN, who arrives with a SWAN towing his boat to save a woman accused of witchcraft.

Prince LUDWIG of Bavaria at age 15 is fascinated by the swan in the Lohengrin Opera. He asks his governess for the libretti of Wagner's Operas. Years go by in exile and Wagner becomes completely destitute with creditors again chasing him. He longs for his homeland Germany, his love life is in shambles and he lives in hiding.

King Max of Bavaria dies and his now 19 year old son Crown Prince Ludwig II becomes King of Bavaria. Within 14 days, he summons Richard Wagner to the Palace. King Ludwig II befriends Richard Wagner and lets him know he will never have to worry about money again. He encourages Richard to work on The Ring Cycle, a four Opera drama to be performed in a Theatre built to Wagner's own specifications, known today as the Festspeilhaus.

Festspeilhaus, Bayreuth, Germany

Preview:

ESCAPE. Riga, Russia, 1838. As Music Director of Riga and owing creditors throughout Germany and now Russia where his passport has been impounded, Richard Wagner (pronounced Vag-ner) dreamed of reaching Paris out of reach of creditors.

It is a chilly evening. A Russian Guard in Cossack Uniform is patrolling the Border between Russia and Germany on this moonlit night. Richard, a short man, less than 5' 6" with brown hair and a large head is with his actress wife and their large Newfoundland Dog "Robber" who are crouched low behind some bushes watching the guard on patrol.

Whispering Richard says:

"Keep the dog quiet Minna, the border guards have orders to shoot if they find us."

"How did we get in this mess anyway?"

"Let's not go over that again, I am just trying to keep our marriage together and stop you from having affairs and running around. You did agree that my Opera Renzi would have a better chance in Paris than in Russia where I owe everyone money. Anyway keep quiet and watch that guard because when he does his tour we are gonna make a run for it."

"How far?"

"My friend Moller, has found a ditch under that fence which we will crawl through near that tree, then it is about 100 yards across this clearing and into the woods on the German side of the border."

"My God! What then?"

"Moller has a carriage waiting for us on the other side of the woods."

"But you are a wanted man in Germany also?"

"My friend Moller will hide us at an Inn until our ship sails for England."

"Your plan has too many steps before we get to Paris. A wanted man in Russia and a wanted man in Germany, we are never going to make it. Why I ever let you talk me into returning to our marriage is beyond me. I was quite content with my acting career"

"Quiet Minna, here comes the guard!"

The Guard has left his shack and is slowly approaching the ditch where they are hiding. Minna's hands are trembling as she hugs the dog tightly. The dog makes no sound as if sensing the seriousness of the situation. The Guard is now only five feet from the bushes and the sound of his boots and rattle of his equipment terrify them both as he approaches closer the sound gets louder and louder to the imaginable crescendo of being discovered. The Guard passes by their position and continues while the sound of his walking decreases on his course to about half way to the next Guard Shack.

"Now Minna! Go! Head for the ditch."

Minna grabs her bag, and heads for the ditch. Richard grabs his bag and the dogs leach and follows Minna. Minna crawls into the ditch and scrambles under the fence from Russia to Germany. The dog is next then Richard. Minna waits for Richard now lying on the German side of the fence.

"Good Minna, so far so good. Now we have to run for the woods, are you ready," whispers Richard.

"Where is the guard?"

"He still has his back to us. Let's go!"

"All right."

"Come on Robber."

They run the 100 yards to the cover of the woods.

"Well, no shots were fired," says Minna.

"We made it Minna. I am so sorry to put you through all of this. I had no idea the danger would be this great. Please forgive me." Richard pets his dog Robber and they walk through the woods to find the hired waiting carriage and climb in. Minna's hands are still shaking and Richard puts his arm around her. The carriage takes them to an Inn at Arnau a few miles from Konigsberg, Prussia where Richard is also a wanted man. The driver takes the bags and escorts Richard and Minna to the reception room with sofas where Moller nervously awaits them.

"Welcome to Prussia Richard."

"Thank God, Moller, what a horrifying experience. Minna, this is my friend Moller who planned our escape. Moller, my wife, Minna"

"Hello Moller."

"Nice to meet you Minna. Let's have a toast to your successful escape."

"Good idea, my nerves could use some vodka" says Minna."

"A toast to brave Minna, and Richard and Robber."

"We were dead if Robber barked," Minna says.

Robber is wagging his tail as Richard roughs him up and pets him.

Good boy Robber, good boy. What's next Moller?"

"Well the shortest way to Paris is to cross Prussia and the rest of the German States to France. This is impossible for Richard who if recognized would be imprisoned. I have paid the sea captain of the Merchant Ship "Thetis" at Pillau to smuggle you aboard without passports and take you to London. You can spend some time in London then cross the Channel to Paris."

"How will we get to the Seaport Pillau."

"Rest here for a few days and I will accompany you in a carriage to Pillau, You know of course that we have to by pass Konigsberg, so the journey has its hazards." "

"Yes, I know. Thanks for being such a good friend."

A few days later an open carriage pulls up to the Inn and Richard, Minna and Robber get in. Moller takes the reins and climbs up to get underway. The carriage heads down the road to a fork with a sign to Konigsberg. The carriage takes the lesser improved road away from Konigsberg to avoid Richard's arrest.

"You know Richard, I feel very good about helping you. I think you will be a very successful composer some day."

"Well thank you Moller. I will try my best. You are helping me through my roughest times."

Neuschawnstein Castle, Bavaria

The author loves opera and makes a point to enjoy live performances often.

The lessons of opera clearly show us all that mankind has not changed very much over the course of centuries by allowing the same passions of many gererations ago to still direct the course of man.

Opera portrays these lessons of life with music that you can see.

The San Diego Opera Company in the city where the author resides is only steps away for an evening of pure enjoyment. The Pacific Opera Company in Orange County and Los Angeles Opera are both accessable within 90 minutes. So fortunate is anyone in San Diego to live so close to so many performances per year.

Lake Starnberg, Berg, Germany