The Revolutionary
Donald Macleod charts Wagner’s revolutionary fervour and the fallout that changed his life.
Wagner’s dreams weren’t limited to music – he also imagined a new political order. Today, Donald Macleod explores Wagner’s involvement in the Dresden uprising of 1849, which led to his exile and a period of intense creative reflection. We hear how his radical ideas shaped both his politics and his operas, and how exile became a vessel for some of his greatest works.
Götterdämmerung, Act III: Siegfried’s Trauermarsch
Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
Marek Janowski, conductor
Die Feen, Act II: Weh uns, weh!; O musst du, Hoffnung, schwinden
Alfred Reiter (Feenkönig), bass
Frankfurter Opern und Museumorchester 
Sebastian Weigle, conductor
Piano Sonata in B-flat Major, WWV 21, Op. 1 (ii. Larghetto)
Pier Paolo Vincenzi, piano
Lohengrin, Act III: Prelude and Bridal Chorus
Cheryl Studer (Elsa), soprano
Siegfried Jerusalem (Lohengrin), tenor
Wiener Philharmoniker
Wiener Staatsopernchor
Claudio Abbado, conductor
Das Liebesverbot, Act 1: Kennst du das Leid der Elternlosen; Herbei, betrognes Volk
Frankfurter Opern und Museumorchester
Chor der Oper Frankfurt
Sebastian Weigle, conductor
Produced by Ellie Ajao for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Audio Wales and West.
On radio
Broadcast
- Tue 18 Nov 2025 16:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3
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