
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 BBC Audio Wales and West.
Last on
Music Played
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Richard Wagner
Gotterdammerung, Act 3, Siegfried's Funeral March
Orchestra: Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin. Conductor: Marek Janowski.- PENTATONE : PTC-5186 409.
- PENTATONE.
- 11.
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Richard Wagner
Die Feen, Act 2 (excerpt)
Singer: Alfred Reiter. Orchestra: Frankfurt Opera House and Museum Orchestra. Conductor: Sebastian Weigle.- OEHMS : OC-940.
- OEHMS.
- 1.
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Richard Wagner
Piano Sonata in B flat major, Op 1 (2nd mvt, Larghetto)
Performer: Pier Paolo Vincenzi.- BRILLIANT CLASSICS : 94450.
- BRILLIANT CLASSICS.
- 6.
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Richard Wagner
Lohengrin, Act 3, Bridal scene (excerpt)
Orchestra: Vienna Philharmonic. Choir: Vienna State Opera Choir. Conductor: Claudio Abbado.- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON : 437808-2.
- DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
- 1.
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Richard Wagner
Das Liebesverbot, Act 1 (excerpt)
Orchestra: Frankfurt Opera House And Museum Orch.. Choir: Frankfurt Opera Chorus. Conductor: Sebastian Weigle.- OEHMS : OC-942.
- OEHMS.
- 5.
Broadcast
- Tue 18 Nov 202516:00BBC Radio 3







