Wagner Operas Podcasts

No stranger to controversy these days The Bayreuth Festival opened at the end of July with a new production of Lohengrin directed by one of the best-known Regietheater directors, Hans Neuenfels. His tongue-in-cheek take on Richard Wagner's most romantic opera involved setting it in a land overrun by rats. There was laughter at the Festspielhaus and there were loud boos as well.

The Bayreuth Festival opened with a much anticipated production of Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg directed by Katharina Wagner, daughter of Wolfgang Wagner. As the heir apparent to the family business, Katharina's new production shows that the Festival wants to continue breaking with the traditions of the past. For some her new production is bold and innovative, while others have dismissed it as insulting Eurotrash. As you will hear, the boos and cheers mixed during this year's opening night.

Toscanini at Salzburg: The 1936 Meistersinger

Richard Wagner: Before the Operas

Adrianne Pieczonka & Ben Heppner in Concert

In Memoriam: Astrid Varnay (1918-2006)

Bayreuth Festival 2006: Götterdämmerung

Bayreuth Festival 2006: Siegfried

Bayreuth Festival 2006: Die Walküre

Bayreuth Festival 2006: Das Rheingold

The Golden Age of Wagnerian Opera at the MET

Bayreuth 2006 Opening Night: A Preview

The 2005 Bayreuth Tristan und Isolde

The 1928 Bayreuth Tristan und Isolde (Part 2)

This podcast presents excerpts from the 1928 recording of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde. Technical difficulties during this period prevented British Columbia Records from capturing the audio during an actual performance. Instead, the three acts were recorded between performances in an empty hall. Nonetheless, It is a landmark recording, even though there are extensive cuts throughout the work. The cast includes Nanny Larsen-Todsen and Gunnar Graarud as the immortal lovers.