Born in Leipsic, in 1813. He was a child of tastes and enthusiasms, but of no apparent genius. He loved philology, history, and mythology; but, most of all, he loved the drama. His early associations were musical, and at the age of sixteen he resolved to become a musician. During his period of apprenticeship he wrote a few concert pieces, but his love of drama led almost at once to his real vocation--the opera. In 1836 he married an actress, Minna Planer, who, despite beauty and a talent for her art, and despite a faithful nature, failed to comprehend Wagner's genius, or to make him happy. For twenty-five years they struggled to appreciate each other, then separated. Wagner subsequently married Cosima, daughter of Liszt, and divorced wife of Von Bülow. The union was one of ideal happiness. Argument. The scene is laid in Rome of the fourteenth century, when the patriot, _Rienzi_, is leading his insurrection against the nobles. The first act represents a street riot, occasioned by the patricians, under _Orsini_, who have scaled _Rienzi's_ house by a ladder and are seeking to abduct his sister, _Irene_. While _Irene_ struggles for freedom, a rival faction of patricians arrives, led by _Colonna_, whose son, _Adriano_, is in love with _Irene_. _Adriano_ fights his way to her side and protects her. Then, in the midst of the disturbance, _Rienzi_ appears and the crowd scatters. A prelate, _Cardinal Raimondo_, asks _Rienzi_ how soon he is going to begin his warfare upon the nobles, and _Rienzi_ replies that when he hears a long trumpet-note sound across the city the hour will have come. He turns to _Adriano Colonna_, and fervently beseeches him to forsake his party and to join the popular cause of Roman freedom. Remembering _Irene_, _Adriano_ pledges his loyalty to _Rienzi_. He is then left alone with the beautiful girl, and they sink into the tender ecstasies of love, till they are roused by the ominous sound of the trumpet-call which heralds the uprising. The day dawns, and within the church the organ and chorus simultaneously break out to greet it. Borne in by the populace, _Rienzi_ arrives. The people seek to crown him king of Rome, but the only title he will accept is that of tribune. A great composite voice rises from the piazza, swearing vengeance on the nobles. _Rienzi's_ cause triumphs, and in the hall of the capitol the patricians are forced to do homage to the victor. Goaded by wounded pride, _Orsini_ forms a conspiracy to stab _Rienzi_ during the festivities which are in preparation. _Adriano_ hears the plot, and warns _Rienzi_, who consequently wears, when he appears at the festa, a steel breastplate. This scene commences in an abandon of joyousness. The crowd cheers a pantomime, and knights fight in tourney.