Ludwig II, King of Bavaria

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Ludwig II, King of Bavaria (b Nymphenburg, 1845; d Lake Starnberg, 1886). Succeeded his father, Maximilian II, in 1864. Was passionate admirer of Wagner's mus., becoming his generous patron, buying him houses, and planning to build th. in Munich to stage Der Ring des Nibelungen. Prime mover in Munich premières of Tristan und Isolde (1865), Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (1868), Das Rheingold (1869), and Die Walküre (1870). Because of scandal of Wagner's affair with Cosima von Bülow, Wagner had to leave Munich, but despite breach in their friendship Ludwig continued to provide support, and helped Wagner financially in building of Bayreuth Festspielhaus and Villa Wahnfried. A fascinating historical figure, his alleged ‘madness’ is at the least questionable.

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