Susan Vincent was introduced to Richard Wagner’s music by her late husband Edward Vincent whose own father, Ernest Vincent, had been a tenor in the Moody Manners Opera Company in the early part of the twentieth century.

Following research into Richard Wagner’s life, Susan became especially interested in his death in Venice in 1883 and the events leading up to this. The talk will cover the key events leading up to the death of Richard Wagner and try to understand what exactly happened on the day of his death (13th February 1883). This will cover his final writings about women, an argument with Cosima (possibly over Carrie Pringle), the worldwide obituaries, the journey from Venice to Bayreuth with Wagner’s body, and more.

The presentation will show how Venice was in Richard Wagner’s time and how his favourite places are today. It will also cover the music that was important to the composer in his last six months of life. Wagner’s favourite coffee shop, church and afternoon pastime in Venice will also be covered, as well as the importance of his Symphony in C Major (the Symphony in C Major, WWV 29, from 1832, is the only completed symphony of Wagner).

Susan, having successfully completed an M.A. in Classical Studies in 2023, is also now researching the love of medievalism by both Richard Wagner and T.E. Lawrence with both loving the story of Tristan and Isolde and the link they both have with the Music Critic and Playwright George Bernard Shaw.

Cost: £5 / students and under 30s: free.

Tickets may be purchased on this page and you will receive the Zoom link via email. For free under-30s tickets please contact us.