Forget a balanced biography. Champfleury's Richard Wagner is a full-on literary ambush. Written in the 1880s, it captures a moment when Wagner's revolutionary music was dividing Europe. Champfleury, a French novelist and critic, was firmly in the 'anti' camp.

The Story

There isn't a traditional narrative. Instead, Champfleury picks apart Wagner's life, his operas like The Ring Cycle and Tristan and Isolde, and his giant personality. He frames Wagner not as a genius, but as a noisy egotist whose complex music was more about overwhelming the audience than true art. It's less a story and more a sustained argument from a very annoyed critic.

Why You Should Read It

It’s fascinating as a historical artifact. You get a front-row seat to the culture wars of the 1800s. Reading Champfleury's complaints—about the music being too loud, the stories too German, the man too ambitious—feels incredibly modern. It reminds you that artists we now call 'masters' were once controversial rebels. The book’s value isn't in accurate facts, but in its raw, passionate bias. It makes you think about how history judges art.

Final Verdict

This isn't for someone seeking a straightforward Wagner biography. It’s perfect for music history nerds, people who love a good artistic feud, or anyone who enjoys primary sources where the author's strong opinion is the main event. Read it alongside a modern biography for the ultimate 'he said, he said' experience.