a. and sb. [-IAN.] a. adj. Of or pertaining to the German operatic composer Richard Wagner (1813–83), his music and theories of musical and dramatic composition. b. sb. An admirer or adherent of Wagner.
1854. Manch. Exam. & Times, 11 Nov., 5/5. That it should have kept the stage at all may readily excite something like wonder,—especially in a mind at all disposed to adopt the modern Wagnerian theory, in respect to opera,—is a point worthy of consideration.
1863. Musical Standard, 15 Aug., 27/2. Wagner sits enthroned in the preface like the Almighty on the Day of Judgment; on his right hand he places the Wagnerian operas, as the sole good ones; on his left, all others, for the sulphurous pit.
1873. All Year Round, 5 July, 225/1. The Wagnerian opera … presumes that the singer of average ability shall be capable of doing justice to the music.
1882. Hime, Wagnerism, 23. But the marriage of near relations was the custom in primitive times, say the Wagnerians. True, no doubt; but that does not make their customs fit subjects for the representations of Art.
1889. G. B. Shaw, in Engl. Illustr. Mag., Oct., 49. Richter’s great superiority to Herr Levi as a Wagnerian conductor.
Hence Wagnerianism, Wagnerian theories, etc. Also Wagneresque a., resembling the style of Wagner. Wagnerism, Wagner’s theory and practice in the composition of music-dramas; the influence or cult of Wagner. Wagnerist, Wagnerite = WAGNERIAN b. Wagnerize v. (a) trans. to make Wagnerian; (b) intr. to follow Wagner.
1884. Haweis, My Musical Life, 671. Even Verdi had drunk deep, many portions of ‘Aïda’ being quite *Wagneresque.
1887. Contemp. Rev., March, 448. A number of Wagner caricatures, which really are very valuable documents in the history of *Wagnerianism.
1869. Daily News, 20 Dec. Many of us may like to hear of anything, even in the shape of *Wagnerism, which can hold its head in Paris by way of opposition to the prevailing taste for Offenbachanalian music.
1889. G. B. Shaw, in Engl. Illustr. Mag., Oct., 49. Hero-worship of Wagner, or adept Wagnerism.
1891. Century Dict., *Wagnerist.
1833. Nation (N.Y.), 22. Feb., 166/3. Nor is there any reason why a *Wagnerite should refuse to admire the operettas of Strauss.
1882. Standard, 13 Jan. It would, of course, be premature to affirm that the musical mind of England has become completely *Wagnerised.
1891. Meredith, One of our Conq., I. xlii. 252. The Italians don’t much more than Wagnerize in exchange for the loss of melody.
