New Research Suggests Wagner's Operas Inspired by Pounding Migraines

Three German researchers at the Kiel Headache and Pain Centre, in German, have presented findings suggesting composer Richard Wagner's incessant torment from head pain formed an inspiration for this operatic repertoire.

The research goes on to hypothesize 'Siegfried', the third opera in his 'Ring Cycle', even contains a reoccurring 'migraine leitmotif' – first depicted in the opening scene of Act One with a concise pulsating thumping replication of a vivid headache episode.