Chapter 1

WAGNER'S EARLY YOUTH.

His Birth--The Father's Death--His Mother Remarries--Removal to Dresden--Theatre and Music--At School--Translation of Homer--Through Poetry to Music--Returning to Leipzig--Beethoven's Symphonies--Resolution to be a Musician--Conceals this Resolution--Composes Music and Poetry--His Family distrusts his Talent--"Romantic" Influences--Studies of Thoroughbass--Overture in B major--Theodor Weinlig--Full Understanding of Mozart--Beethoven's Influence--The Genius of German Art--Preparatory Studies ended 9-22