• Anna Göbel, Carl H Göbel, and Hartmut Göbel.
• Kiel Migraine and Headache Centre, Kiel, Germany Department of Neurology, University Hospital Schleswig Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Germany.
• Cephalalgia. 2014 Oct 1;34(12):1004-11.

BackgroundThe headache phenotype and neurological symptoms of the German composer Richard Wagner (1813-1883), whose music dramas count towards the most frequently performed operas across the world, are previously undocumented.MethodsRichard Wagner's own descriptions of his headache symptoms in his original writings and letters are investigated, as well as the complete diary records of his second wife, Cosima Wagner.ResultsThere are manifold indications that Richard Wagner suffered from a severe headache disorder, which fulfils most likely the diagnostic criteria of migraine without aura and migraine with aura of ICHD-3 beta.ConclusionsRichard Wagner's life and opus can help to better understand the burden and suffering caused by migraine with its severe effects on the individual, familial and social life, the culture and community.© International Headache Society 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav.

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