November 21, 2025

Richard Wagner (1813-1883)

1 hour 1 minute

This week, Donald Macleod explores Wagner’s world of dreams – musical, romantic and revolutionary. Wagner didn’t just write operas; he imagined entire worlds, reshaping reality to fit his ideals. His stories blur fact and fantasy, turning myth into truth and politics into drama. From youthful ambitions and radical uprisings to scandal, patronage and the creation of Bayreuth, we follow a composer whose dreams were as grand as his music.

Götterdämmerung, Act III: Siegfried’s Funeral March

Die Feen, Act II: Weh uns, weh!; O musst du, Hoffnung, schwinden

Piano Sonata in B-flat Major, WWV 21, Op. 1 (ii. Larghetto)

Lohengrin, Act III: Prelude and Bridal Chorus

Das Liebesverbot, Act 1: Kennst du das Leid der Elternlosen; Herbei, betrognes Volk

The Flying Dutchman, Extract from Act III

Rienzi, Overture

Das Rheingold, Prelude and Scene 1

Tristan und Isolde, Act 3: Isoldes Liebestod

Albumblatt (arr. August Wilhelmj)

Huldigungsmarsch

Lohengrin, Act III: In fernem Land “Grail Narration”

Tristan und Isolde, Extract from Act II

Siegfried, Love duet from Act III Scene 3

Parsifal, Act III Suite, ed. Abbado: Good Friday Music

Siegfried, extract from Act II Scene 1

Kinder-Katechismus

Die Walküre, Act III Scene 3: Wotan’s Farewell and Magic Fire Music

Presented by Donald Macleod.

Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales & West.

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Richard Wagner: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002m0kk.

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z.

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By BBC Radio 3

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