The Art Of Construction

In 1857, with the first two operas of a larger cycle completed, the composer left our teaser partway through Act II, and did not return to his hero until 1869, more than a decade later. In the meantime, this composer wrote two operas not related to the larger cycle. During this time, his marriage fell apart, he was kicked out of Vienna for debt, and he acquired his most influential patron, King Ludwig II of Bavaria.