Definition
Wagnerian describes something related to the German composer Richard Wagner (1813-1883), his music, or his artistic philosophy. Think of grand, dramatic operas with powerful voices and epic storylines. Wagner's works are known for their use of leitmotifs (recurring musical themes) and a concept called Gesamtkunstwerk (total work of art), which combines music, drama, poetry, and visual elements. The term can also refer to the bombastic or grandiose style associated with his operas.