A Wagner playlist

Many Italian operas were composed as "number operas" with linking recitative. For example, no 1: Overture, no 2: opening chorus, recitative, no 3: hero's aria, recitative, no 4: hero's cabaletta with chorus. Each number therefore, had a very clear beginning and end. Wagner's operas, however, are much more through-composed: they have less defined beginnings and ends and so are often less excerptable than Italian operas. These excerpts are sometimes known as "bleeding chunks" as they are pulled out of their musical context with a fade or by editing the music. In addition, Wagner's music, with its use of leitmotivs and declamatory style, is often less "tuneful" or "melodic" than some Italian operas. Below are some of the "highlights" from Wagner's operas.