Guarding the Legacy - Cosima in Bayreuth 1883-1906’ by Robert Gay

About Cosima Wagner

Francesca Gaetana Cosima Wagner (née Liszt; 24 December 1837 – 1 April 1930) was the daughter of the Hungarian composer and pianist Franz Liszt and Franco-German romantic author Marie d’Agoult. She became the second wife of Richard Wagner and with him founded the Bayreuth Festival as a showcase for his stage works; after his death she devoted the rest of her life to the promotion of his music and philosophy.

Commentators have recognised Cosima as the principal inspiration for Wagner’s later works, particularly Parsifal.

About Robert Gay

Robert has significant expertise as a music history educator and tour leader, having designed and led more than 100 tours to the great musical cities of Western and Central Europe and North America. 

Known for his popular music history courses which have been offered at the University of Sydney’s Centre for Continuing Education for more than 30 years, Robert’s musical expertise extends from the Baroque period through to the great composers of the modern era. Robert trained as a lyric baritone in London and Munich and he was also President of the Sydney Schubert Society for many years. He has been a guest lecturer for the Australian Decorative and Fine Arts Society (ACNC), and is regularly invited to present talks on opera and music history to organisations such as the Wagner Society in NSW.