The German composer Wilhelm Richard Wagner was best known for his operas. He started started studying the piano at the age of 7 and at the age of 15 he wrote piano transcriptions of Beethoven's 9th Symphony and orchestral overtures. Wagner's first operas did not really had any success and after fin... More informationancial difficulties Wagner and his wife had to escape from creditors. From 1839 to 1842 Wagner worked in Paris mostly as an arranger but he was also able to complete his third and fourth operas Rienzi and the Flying Dutchman. After several years and little success Wagner began composing 'Das Rheingold' (German for: The Rhine Gold) in 1853 following by 'Die Walkure' (German for: The valkyrie) in 1854.Less information