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Wagner dreams of creating a new kind of music theatre, but can he muster the extravagant resources he will need to make his grand visions a reality? Presented by Donald Macleod.

Wagner dreams of creating a new kind of music theatre, but can he muster the extravagant resources he will need to see his grand visions made real? 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: Wagner sets out his vision of a new kind of artwork that will unite all the arts and address the great philosophical questions of the age. These 鈥榤usic dramas鈥 would be staged in a specially constructed theatre of his own design. It would be a hugely expensive enterprise and surely far beyond the reach of the poverty-stricken composer.

Das Rheingold, Scene 1: 鈥淟ugt, Schwestern! Die Weckerin lach in den Grund鈥
Oda Balsborg, soprano (Woglinde)
Hetty Pl眉macher, mezzo-soprano (Wellgunde)
Ira Malaniuk, contralto (Flo脽hilde)
Gustav Neidlinger, bass-baritone (Alberich)
Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Georg Solti

Prelude to Die Meistersinger von N眉rnberg
Concertgebouw Orchestra, conducted by Riccardo Chailly

Tannh盲user: Act 3 Scene 1: 鈥淎llm盲cht鈥檊e Jungfrau, h枚r mein Flehen!鈥 and Scene 2 鈥淥 du, mein holder, Abendstern鈥
Eberhard Waechter, baritone (Wolfram )
Anja Silja, soprano (Elisabeth)
Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch

Lohengrin: Prelude to Act III
Berlin Philharmonic, conducted by Lorin Maazel

Tristan and Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod
Helga Dernesch, soprano (Isolde)
Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Herbert von Karajan

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 20 Feb 2023 12:00

Music Played

  • Richard Wagner

    Das Rheingold, Scene 1: "Lugt, Schwestern! Die Weckerin lach in den Grund"

    Singer: Oda Balsborg. Singer: Hetty Pl眉macher. Singer: Ira Malaniuk. Singer: Gustav Neidlinger. Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Georg Solti.
    • DECCA : 478-1403.
    • DECCA.
    • 5.
  • Richard Wagner

    Die Meistersinger von N眉rnberg Prelude

    Orchestra: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. Conductor: Riccardo Chailly.
    • DECCA : 439-687-2.
    • DECCA.
    • 1.
  • Richard Wagner

    Tannh盲user, Act 3, Sc 1 & 2 (excerpts)

    Singer: Eberhard Waechter. Singer: Anja Silja. Orchestra: Bayreuth Festival Orchestra. Conductor: Wolfgang Sawallisch.
    • PHILIPS : 420 122-2.
    • PHILIPS.
    • 4.
  • Richard Wagner

    Lohengrin, Act III Prelude

    Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Lorin Maazel.
    • RCA : 74321-68717-2.
    • RCA.
    • 2.
  • Richard Wagner

    Tristan und Isolde Prelude

    Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Herbert von Karajan.
    • EMI : 769-319 2.
    • EMI.
    • 1.
  • Richard Wagner

    Tristan und Isolde, Act 3: Liebestod

    Singer: Helga Dernesch. Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Herbert von Karajan.
    • EMI : CMS-7 69319 2.
    • EMI.
    • 5.

Broadcasts

  • Mon 27 Sep 2021 12:00
  • Mon 20 Feb 2023 12:00

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