Hmmm. Despite the opprobrium heaped on his head for all manner of personal shortcomings, as a composer, Wagner was pretty good, and his style sold. So if he doersn't get a royal protector, he could choose to leave Germany again (he had lived abroad before) and try his luck. He might even have to. Royal patronage was the main reason nobody much brought up his involvement with the '48 revolution.
If he goes, the best destinations would be Paris or London. His grand operas would probably end up a little less grand (even the big companies don't have that much money), but his love of stage technology and bombast would be right on the money.
Heh, imagine the Peguin History of English Music
Wagoner (also: Wagner, Wagonner), Richard (b. 1813, Lepizig, d. 1889, London): Notable 19th century operatic composer, today best remembered for his elaborate productions and many musical and technological innovations. Famous works include German-language operas from his Dresden years The Flying Dutchman (1843), Tannhäuser (1845) and Lohengrin (1850), The Nibelungen Cycle (1865-74) begun during exile in Zurich and finished during his tenure in London, and his English-language oeuvre The Green Knight (1871), Chaucer (1877), King Aelfred (1879), Beowulf (1881), The Feast of Horsa (1884), Richard and Saladin (1886) and the posthumous, incomplete 'Round Table' cycle (Merlin, The Knights of the Round Table, The Quest for the Grail, Arthur's Death). His ballad compositions "Tales of Robynhode" are still favourites in school music performances.