rienzi is an opera by richard wagner. its full title is rienzi, der letzte der tribunen ("rienzi, the last of the tribunes"). it is one of the earliest operas wagner wrote. there are five acts. wagner wrote the libretto himself, using the story from a novel by edward bulwer-lytton. it was composed between 1838 and 1840 it was first performed at the hofoper, dresden on 20 october 1842. it was the first time wagner had a success as an opera composer.