The Weimar State Chapel is one of the German orchestras with the longest and richest traditions; the foundations for it were laid by the Weimar Prince-Elector at the end of the 15th century, but it truly bloomed in the era of Classicism, when the city became a cultural centre of Europe. The city rose to prominence again in the second half of the 19th century, thanks to Franz Liszt, who was in charge of the orchestra at the time. With Liszt as conductor, Weimar performed the most progressive works of the contemporary era, such as operas by Richard Wagner and Liszt's symphonic poems, all of which made Weimar the centre of progressive contemporary music.