Wagnerian

[vahg-neer-ee-uhn]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Richard Wagner or his works.

   Wagnerian grandeur; a Wagnerian soprano.

noun

1. Also Wagnerite a follower or admirer of the music or theories of Richard Wagner.

Wagnerian

/ vɑːɡˈnɪərɪən /

adjective

1. of or suggestive of the dramatic musical compositions of Richard Wagner, their massive scale, dramatic and emotional intensity, etc

2. denoting or relating to a singer who has a voice suitable for singing Wagner

3. of or relating to a big, powerful, or domineering woman

   a Wagnerian maiden

noun

1. a follower or disciple of the music or theories of Richard Wagner

Word History and Origins

Origin of Wagnerian¹

First recorded in 1870–75; Wagner + -ian

Example Sentences

But it was in the staging of his own plays that he approached the Wagnerian ideal of the Gesamtkunstwerk or integrated artwork.

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“That’s why I chose that orchestration that is very what I call ‘aerial,’ and Wagnerian, and kind of also Hollywood — which I never knew that I could do.”

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Woodwinds at the top of Act II are practically Wagnerian in their extravagant stateliness.

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It was left to voices of true Wagnerian size, thrilling in Disney, and a notably present L.A.

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Traditionally when Canada goes shopping for major military items like aircraft, the process turns into a Wagnerian opera of epic length and complexity.

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