Wagnerian

From Wagner +‎ -ian.

• Rhymes: -ɪɹiən

Wagnerian (comparative more Wagnerian, superlative most Wagnerian)

1. Of, or characteristic of Richard Wagner, or his music; (by extension) of epic dimensions.
   • 1949 September 4, H. R. Trevor-Roper, “Hitler Reappraised, Ten Years After”, in The New York Times‎, →ISSN:

     Clearly, Hitler saw his historical function as a Wagnerian grand opera. Vast cosmic changes required an accompaniment of slaughter on a colossal scale.

   • 1976 August 14, Gary Jane Hoisington, “Locker Room As The Site Of Religious Ecstasy”, in Gay Community News, volume 4, number 7, page 9:

     It is a glossy film with gross, opulent opticals and little comic, or any, relief; it has the jaundiced complexion of an early 60s underground film, which it is; it is ponderous, Wagnerian, and feels about five hours long (its running time is about an hour).

   • 1981, William Irwin Thompson, The Time Falling Bodies Take to Light: Mythology, Sexuality and the Origins of Culture, London: Rider/Hutchinson & Co., page 188:

     Thus Gilgamesh and Enkidu as a dyad express a Wagnerian leitmotif that plays upon themes from racial memories of the two different races at the dawn of hominization.

Wagnerian (plural Wagnerians)

1. An admirer of Richard Wagner.

   Synonym: Wagnerite

   Hyponyms: Ringhead, Ringnut

2. A musician who plays Wagnerian music.
3. An opera singer who specializes in Wagnerian roles.