If Wagner Had Been Italian: Would His Operas Have Been Shorter?

The question of whether Richard Wagner's operas would have been shorter if he had been an Italian composer is intriguing. While we might compare him with his contemporaries, such as Giuseppe Verdi, it becomes clear that cultural and personal factors play significant roles in shaping artistic output.

Comparing Wagner and Verdi

Consider Wagner's great Italian contemporary, Giuseppe Verdi. Born in 1813, Verdi was a practical man of the theater. His primary goal was to please audiences, not to delve deeply into abstruse theories about music drama and philosophy. In contrast, Wagner was driven by these philosophical and theoretical interests, often writing treatises on music and drama. The stark difference in approach is evident in the structure of their operas.

The majority of Verdi's works are considerably shorter than Wagner's, with notable exceptions like Don Carlos and I Vespri Siciliani. Verdi recognized that audiences could be bored by operas that were too lengthy. Therefore, it is reasonable to argue that if Wagner had been an Italian musician, his operas might have been shorter.

The Unique Nature of Wagner's Artistry

Wagner is not just a composer; he is a figure steeped in a particular Gothic, vaguely Ossianic cultural mold. This unique 19th-century Germanist cultural milieu has deeply influenced his work. It is nearly impossible to imagine Wagner as an Italian musician, as this would result in fundamentally different compositions both in terms of content and style.

Moreover, Wagner's operas are not just musical compositions; they are complete visual and auditory art forms. He even designed and built the Bayreuth Festspielhaus to perform his operas, ensuring a fully immersive experience. The very nature of his operas makes them distinct and unmatchable. Any change in cultural or personal context would likely produce a vastly different result.

The Challenge of Staging Wagner's Works in Italy

Another factor to consider is the practical challenge Wagner would face in staging his works in Italy. Italy was home to renowned composers like Gioachino Rossini, Vincenzo Bellini, and Gaetano Donizetti, whose operas were already well-loved by audiences. The cultural and theatrical environment favored a certain style and structure, which would not easily accommodate the unique vision of Wagner's works.

However, it is important to note that while Wagner's operas may seem lengthy to some audiences, this doesn't necessarily diminish their significance. The pace and complexity of German drama and film, compared to Italian opera, may contribute to the perception of Wagner's works as slower. This can be seen in the notoriously long-running performances of Goethe's Faust, which can last over 20 hours in unabbreviated form. This is not merely due to the abundance of spoken syllables in German but also the intricate pacing and dramatic structure that Wagner employed.

Opinions and Cultural Perceptions

Indeed, the perception of Wagner's operas as lengthy may vary based on cultural background. For many European-based cultures, German drama and film can be perceived as slow-paced and even ponderous. However, pacing is a subjective matter. Just as landmarks can make a journey seem shorter, the constant stream of music in Wagner's operas can make the length seem less burdensome. Audiences might find his works more engaging due to their continuous narrative flow, as opposed to the show-stopping arias that are a hallmark of Italian opera.

In conclusion, while it is possible that Wagner's operas would have been shorter if he had lived in Italy, the fundamental differences in his artistic vision, style, and cultural context make it unlikely. The unique nature of his work and the challenges of staging his productions in Italy suggest that the very essence of his art would have remained the same, regardless of the national context.