The swan king : Ludwig II of Bavaria

""The Swan King" is the biography of one of the most enigmatic figures of the 19th century, described by Verlaine as 'the only true king of his century'. A man of wildly eccentric temperament and touched by a rare, imaginative genius, Ludwig II of Bavaria is remembered both for his patronage of Richard Wagner and for the fabulous palaces which he created as part of a dream-world to escape the responsibilities of state. In realization of his fantasies, he created a ferment of creativity among artists and craftsmen, while his neglect of Bavaria's political interests made powerful enemies among those critical of his self-indulgence and excesses. At the age of 40, declared insane in a plot to depose him, Ludwig died in mysterious circumstances." -- Provided by publisher ""The Swan King" is the biography of one of the most enigmatic figures of the 19th century, described by Verlaine as 'the only true king of his century'. A man of wildly eccentric temperament and touched by a rare, imaginative genius, Ludwig II of Bavaria is remembered both for his patronage of Richard Wagner and for the fabulous palaces which he created as part of a dream-world to escape the responsibilities of state. In realization of his fantasies, he created a ferment of creativity among artists and craftsmen, while his neglect of Bavaria's political interests made powerful enemies among those critical of his self-indulgence and excesses. At the age of 40, declared insane in a plot to depose him, Ludwig died in mysterious circumstances." -- Back cover Machine Generated Contents Note: 1. Northern Apollo Reborn -- 2. Captive Years -- 3. From Cage To Throne -- 4. Coming Of The Friend -- 5. Second Lola -- 6. Triumph, An Idyll And A Parting -- 7. Germany In Turmoil -- 8. Sophie -- 9. Lilla...and Others -- 10. Wagnerian Strains -- 11. Crucial Decade: 1866-76 -- 12. Fantasies In Stone -- 13. Dreams Of El Dorado -- 14. Ludwig Ii And The Theatre -- 15. Forbidden Longings -- 16. Farewell To Wagner -- 17. Twilight Years -- 18. Trap Closes -- 19. Prophecies Fulfilled. Christopher Mcintosh. Originally Published: London: Allen Lane, 1982. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. The Swan King is the biography of one of the most enigmatic figures of the nineteenthcentury, described by Verlaine as 'the only true king of his century'. A man of wildly eccentric temperament and touched by a rare, imaginative genius, Ludwig II of Bavaria is remembered both for his patronage of Richard Wagner and for the fabulous palaces that he created as part of a dream-world to escape the responsibilities of state. In the realization of his fantasies, he created a ferment of creativity among artists and craftsmen, while his neglect of Bavaria's political interests made powerful enemies am The Swan King is the biography of one of the most enigmatic figures of the nineteenth_x000D_century, described by Verlaine as 'the only true king of his century'. A man of wildly eccentric temperament and touched by a rare, imaginative genius, Ludwig II of Bavaria is remembered both for his patronage of Richard Wagner and for the fabulous palaces that he created as part of a dream-world to escape the responsibilities of state. In the realization of his fantasies, he created a ferment of creativity among artists and craftsmen, while his neglect of Bavaria's political interests made powerful ene The Swan King is the biography of one of the most enigmatic figures of the nineteenth century, described by Verlaine as 'the only true king of his century'. A man of wildly eccentric temperament and touched by a rare, imaginative genius, Ludwig II of Bavaria is remembered both for his patronage of Richard Wagner and for the fabulous palaces that he created as part of a dream-world to escape the responsibilities of state. In the realization of his fantasies, he created a ferment of creativity among artists and craftsmen, while his neglect of Bavaria's political interests made powerful enemies a Ludwig II, the so-called Mad King of Bavaria, was one of the most enigmatic figures of the 19th century. He has gone down in history for his patronage to Richard Wagner, and for the palaces he created