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The Mad King

Donald Macleod explores how Wagner's talent for escaping trouble hit new heights thanks to a new King of Bavaria.

Wagner's talent for escaping trouble hits new heights thanks to a new King of Bavaria, whose sanity was questionable. The composer, a left-wing revolutionary who had fought on the streets in Dresden, now brought about a revolution in music with the help of a ridiculously spoiled and pampered monarch. King Ludwig happened to be Wagner's number one fan and gave the ever-ambitious composer seemingly limitless financial backing. With Donald Macleod.

1 hour

Last on

Thu 7 Oct 2010 22:00

Music Played

  • Richard Wagner - Das Rheingold: Prelude to Act I

    Performer: Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim (conductor)

  • Richard Wagner - The Valkyrie: Excerpt from Act III

    Performer: Wotan: Norman Bailey (bass-baritone), English National Opera Orchestra, Reginald Goodall (conductor)

  • Richard Wagner - Siegfried: Excerpt from Act II - Scenes 2 & 3

    Performer: Siegfried: Jess Thomas (tenor), Fafner: Karl Ridderbusch (bass), Waldvogel: Catherine Gayer (soprano), Alberich: Zoltan Kelemen (bass-baritone), Mime: Gerhard Stolze (tenor), Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Hebert von Karajan (conductor)

Broadcasts

  • Thu 7 Oct 2010 12:00
  • Thu 7 Oct 2010 22:00

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