Rienzi, der Letzte der Tribunen (WWV 49) (Rienzi, the Last of the Tribunes)'s an early opera by Richard Wagner in five acts, with the libretto written by the composer after Bulwer-Lytton's novel of the same name. The title's commonly shortened to Rienzi. Written between July 1838 and November 1840, it was first performed at the Hofoper, Dresden on October 20, 1842. Background Rienzi's Wagner's third completed opera, and's mostly written in a Grand Opera style. It was intended to be premiered at… (More on Rienzi)