Deceit and Disillusion
King Ludwig seems only too eager to bankroll Wagner鈥檚 grand ambitions, but how long can he turn a blind eye to his hero鈥檚 flaws? Presented by Donald Macleod.
King Ludwig seem only too eager to bankroll Wagner鈥檚 grand ambitions, but how long can he turn a blind eye to his hero鈥檚 flaws? Presented by Donald Macleod.
This week, Donald Macleod follows Wagner on his decades-long journey to realise his dream of building his own music theatre, and establishing a festival there dedicated to his music. We see how Wagner鈥檚 revolutionary ideas and vaulting ambition struggled against the reality of securing supporters, raising finances, and inspiring audiences.
Today: it appears that Wagner has found the ideal patron in King Ludwig II of Bavaria. The young monarch is a passionate admirer of Wagner鈥檚 music and has the resources to realise all of Wagner鈥檚 grand plans. However, Ludwig鈥檚 ministers are suspicious about Wagner鈥檚 motives and, soon, rumours of a scandalous affair threaten to derail everything.
Das Rheingold: End of Scene 3 鈥淥he! Ohe! Schreckliche Schlange鈥︹��
George London, bass-baritone (Wotan)
Set Svanholm, tenor (Loge)
Gustav Neidlinger, bass-baritone (Alberich)
Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Georg Solti
Die Walk眉re: Act 2, 鈥淗inweg! Hinweg! Flieh die Entwihte!...鈥�
R茅gine Crespin, soprano (Sieglinde)
James King, tenor (Siegmund)
Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Georg Solit
Tannhauser: Act 2 Finale
Wolfgang Windgassen, tenor (Tannh盲user)
Anja Silja, soprano (Elisabeth)
Josef Greindl, bass (Landgraf Hermann)
Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch,
Lohengrin: Act 3, 鈥淚n fernem Land鈥�
Placido Domingo, tenor (Lohengrin)
Choir of Vienna State Opera
Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Georg Solti
Das Rheingold, Scene 4, Finale (Entry of the Gods into Valhalla)
George London, bass-baritone (Wotan)
Kirsten Flagstad, soprano (Fricka)
Set Svanholm, tenor (Loge)
Eberhard W盲chter, baritone (Donner)
Oda Balsborg, soprano (Woglinde)
Hetty Pl眉macher, mezzo-soprano (Wellgunde)
Ira Malaniuk, contralto (Flo脽hilde)
Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Georg Solti
Last on
Music Played
-
![]()
Richard Wagner
Das Rheingold: End of Scene 3 "Ohe! Ohe! Schreckliche Schlange..."
Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Georg Solti. Singer: George London. Singer: Set Svanholm. Singer: Gustav Neidlinger.- DECCA : 455 556-2.
- DECCA.
- 5.
-
![]()
Richard Wagner
Die Walk眉re: Act 2, "Hinweg! Hinweg! Flieh die Entwihte!..."
Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Georg Solti. Singer: R茅gine Crespin. Singer: James King.- DECCA : 455-592.
- DECCA.
- 12.
-
![]()
Richard Wagner
Tannhauser: Act 2 Finale
Singer: Wolfgang Windgassen. Singer: Anja Silja. Singer: Josef Greindl. Choir: Chor der Bayreuther Festspiele. Orchestra: Bayreuth Festival Orchestra. Conductor: Wolfgang Sawallisch.- PHILIPS : 420 122-2.
- PHILIPS.
- 12.
-
![]()
Richard Wagner
Lohengrin: Act 3, "In fernem Land"
Conductor: Pl谩cido Domingo. Choir: Vienna State Opera Choir. Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Georg Solti.- DECCA : 425-530-2.
- DECCA.
- 12.
-
![]()
Richard Wagner
Das Rheingold, Scene 4, Finale (Entry of the Gods into Valhalla)
Singer: George London. Singer: Kirsten Flagstad. Singer: Set Svanholm. Singer: Eberhard Waechter. Singer: Oda Balsborg. Singer: Hetty Pl眉macher. Singer: Ira Malaniuk. Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Georg Solti.- DECCA : 478 038-2.
- DECCA.
- 13.
Broadcasts
- Tue 28 Sep 2021 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
- Tue 21 Feb 2023 12:00大象传媒 Radio 3
Vaughan Williams Today
Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.
Beethoven Unleashed 鈥� the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time 鈥� why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.