
Deceit and Disillusion
King Ludwig seems only too eager to bankroll Wagner’s grand ambitions, but how long can he turn a blind eye to his hero’s flaws? Presented by Donald Macleod.
King Ludwig seem only too eager to bankroll Wagner’s grand ambitions, but how long can he turn a blind eye to his hero’s 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’s 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’s music and has the resources to realise all of Wagner’s grand plans. However, Ludwig’s ministers are suspicious about Wagner’s motives and, soon, rumours of a scandalous affair threaten to derail everything.
Das Rheingold: End of Scene 3 “Ohe! Ohe! Schreckliche Schlange…“
George London, bass-baritone (Wotan)
Set Svanholm, tenor (Loge)
Gustav Neidlinger, bass-baritone (Alberich)
Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Georg Solti
Die Walküre: Act 2, “Hinweg! Hinweg! Flieh die Entwihte!...”
Régine Crespin, soprano (Sieglinde)
James King, tenor (Siegmund)
Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Georg Solit
Tannhauser: Act 2 Finale
Wolfgang Windgassen, tenor (Tannhäuser)
Anja Silja, soprano (Elisabeth)
Josef Greindl, bass (Landgraf Hermann)
Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch,
Lohengrin: Act 3, “In fernem Land”
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 Wächter, baritone (Donner)
Oda Balsborg, soprano (Woglinde)
Hetty Plümacher, mezzo-soprano (Wellgunde)
Ira Malaniuk, contralto (Floßhilde)
Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Georg Solti
Last on
Music Played
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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.
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Richard Wagner
Die Walküre: Act 2, "Hinweg! Hinweg! Flieh die Entwihte!..."
Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Georg Solti. Singer: Régine Crespin. Singer: James King.- DECCA : 455-592.
- DECCA.
- 12.
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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.
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Richard Wagner
Lohengrin: Act 3, "In fernem Land"
Conductor: Plácido Domingo. Choir: Vienna State Opera Choir. Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Georg Solti.- DECCA : 425-530-2.
- DECCA.
- 12.
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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 Plümacher. Singer: Ira Malaniuk. Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic. Conductor: Georg Solti.- DECCA : 478 038-2.
- DECCA.
- 13.
Broadcasts
- Tue 28 Sep 2021 12:00BBC Radio 3
- Tue 21 Feb 2023 12:00BBC Radio 3