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Stephen Fry on Wagner

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25/05/2010

BBC Four - Stephen Fry on Wagner

Stephen Fry explores his fascination for the controversial composer Richard Wagner.

Stephen Fry confronts Wagner's troubled legacy and explores his fascination for this controversial composer against the backdrop of preparations for the Bayreuth Festival.

Stephen Fry explores his passion for controversial composer Richard Wagner. Can he salvage the music he loves from its dark association with Hitler's Nazi regime? His journey takes him to Germany, Switzerland and Russia as he pieces together the story of the composer's turbulent career.  

Along the way he plays Wagner's piano, meets the composer's descendants and eavesdrops on rehearsals for the legendary Bayreuth Festival, the annual extravaganza of Wagner's music held in a theatre designed by the composer himself.

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