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Wagner in Wunderland

Donald Macleod explores Wagner’s dark dreams, wild escapes and the birth of the Ring. Presented by Donald Macleod.

Donald Macleod follows Wagner through a world of wild dreams and dramatic escapes. With a stormy voyage, a toxic treatise on Giacomo Meyerbeer, a sordid affair and a night in La Spezia, Wagner’s fantasies began to take shape in the real world. From the chaos came inspiration: The Flying Dutchman, Rienzi, Das Rheingold and Tristan und Isolde all emerged from this turbulent chapter.

The Flying Dutchman, Act I: Overture
Austrian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Pinchas Steinberg, conductor

The Flying Dutchman, Extract from Act III
Austrian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Budapest Radio Chorus
Pinchas Steinberg, conductor

Rienzi,Overture
Staatskapelle Dresden 
Heinrich Hollreiser, conductor

Das Rheingold, Prelude and Scene 1
Wiener Philharmoniker
Sir Georg Solti

Tristan und Isolde, Act 3: Isoldes Liebestod
Jessye Norman (Isolde), soprano
London Symphony Orchestra
Sir Colin Davis, conductor

Produced by Ellie Ajao for ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Audio Wales and West.

Release date:

59 minutes

Broadcast

  • Wed 19 Nov 2025 16:00

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