Franz Liszt

The greatest pianist who ever lived and the inventor of the solo piano recital. 'Lisztomania' — mass hysteria at his concerts — was the 19th-century equivalent of Beatlemania. He participated in the Dresden Revolution of 1848 alongside Wagner, composed the symphonic poem (a new form), and later took minor holy orders. His Hungarian Rhapsodies and Transcendental Études define Romantic piano virtuosity.

• Roles: Composer, Pianist, Conductor