King Ludwig seem only too eager to bankroll Wagner’s grand ambitions, but how long can he turn a blind eye to his hero’s flaws? Presented by Donald Macleod.

This week, Donald Macleod follows Wagner on his decades-long journey to realise his dream of building his own music theatre, and establishing a festival there dedicated to his music. We see how Wagner’s revolutionary ideas and vaulting ambition struggled against the reality of securing supporters, raising finances, and inspiring audiences.

Today: it appears that Wagner has found the ideal patron in King Ludwig II of Bavaria. The young monarch is a passionate admirer of Wagner’s music and has the resources to realise all of Wagner’s grand plans. However, Ludwig’s ministers are suspicious about Wagner’s motives and, soon, rumours of a scandalous affair threaten to derail everything.

Das Rheingold: End of Scene 3 “Ohe! Ohe! Schreckliche Schlange…“
George London, bass-baritone (Wotan)
Set Svanholm, tenor (Loge)
Gustav Neidlinger, bass-baritone (Alberich)
Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Georg Solti

Die Walküre: Act 2, “Hinweg! Hinweg! Flieh die Entwihte!...”
Régine Crespin, soprano (Sieglinde)
James King, tenor (Siegmund)
Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Georg Solit

Tannhauser: Act 2 Finale
Wolfgang Windgassen, tenor (Tannhäuser)
Anja Silja, soprano (Elisabeth)
Josef Greindl, bass (Landgraf Hermann)
Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, conducted by Wolfgang Sawallisch,

Lohengrin: Act 3, “In fernem Land”
Placido Domingo, tenor (Lohengrin)
Choir of Vienna State Opera
Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Georg Solti

Das Rheingold, Scene 4, Finale (Entry of the Gods into Valhalla)
George London, bass-baritone (Wotan)
Kirsten Flagstad, soprano (Fricka)
Set Svanholm, tenor (Loge)
Eberhard Wächter, baritone (Donner)
Oda Balsborg, soprano (Woglinde)
Hetty Plümacher, mezzo-soprano (Wellgunde)
Ira Malaniuk, contralto (Floßhilde)
Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Sir Georg Solti Show less