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.
On radio
Broadcast
- Wed 19 Nov 2025 16:00ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio 3
Beethoven Unleashed – the box set
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Composers A to Z
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.



