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The Saxon Windbag

Donald Macleod explores Wagner's early works, focusing on the fiasco of his opera debut Das Liebesverbot and Rienzi, which enjoyed more success, putting his name on the map.

Donald Macleod introduces Richard Wagner, a composer whose name instantly ignites controversy like no other - a composer whose life was every bit as much of a titanic saga as the epic music dramas he invented. Wagner was a young firebrand of twenty-two when he made his debut as an opera composer with Das Liebesverbot (The Ban on Love), and the premiere was a fiasco with fights on stage even before the curtain rose. His opera Rienzi was much more successful, catching the revolutionary spirit of the time and putting Wagner's name on the map.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 4 Oct 2010 22:00

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Music Played

  • Richard Wagner - The Valkyrie: Prelude to Act III (The Ride of the Valkyries)

    Performer: Gerhilde: Katie Clarke (soprano), Helmwige: Anne Evans (soprano), Waltraute: Elizabeth Connell (soprano), Schwertleite: Helen Attfield (soprano), Ortlinde: Anne Conoley (soprano), Grimgerde: Shelagh Squires (mezzo-soprano), Rossweise: Anne Collins (contralto), English National Opera Orchestra, Reginald Goodall (conductor)

  • Richard Wagner - Das Liebesverbot: Overture

    Performer: London Symphony Orchestra, Marek Janowski (conductor)

  • Richard Wagner - Die Feen: Szene und Arie from Act II

    Performer: Ada: Linda Esther Gray (soprano), Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Wolfgang Sawallisch (conductor)

  • Richard Wagner - Rienzi: Act IV

    Performer: Baroncelli: Peter Schreier (tenor), Cecco: Gunter Leib (baritone), Adriano: Janis Martin (mezzo-soprano), Rienzi: Rene Kollo (tenor), Raimondo: Siegfried Vogel (bass), Irene: Siv Wennberg (soprano), Leipzig Radio Chorus, Dresden State Opera Chorus, Staatskapelle Dresden, Heinrich Hollreiser (conductor)

Broadcasts

  • Mon 4 Oct 2010 12:00
  • Mon 4 Oct 2010 22:00

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