8/8/2010 | Download File (42.41 MB) - right click to download
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 involves setting it in a land overrun by rats. There was laughter at the Festspielhaus, there were loud boos, and there was also the beautiful singing of Jonas Kaufmann and Annette Dasch who ignited opening night with their passionate singing.
8/8/2010 | Download File (42.41 MB) - right click to download
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 involves setting it in a land overrun by rats. There was laughter at the Festspielhaus, there were loud boos, and there was also the beautiful singing of Jonas Kaufmann and Annette Dasch who ignited opening night with their passionate singing.
7/30/2007 | Download File (29.67 MB) - right click to download
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.
7/30/2007 | Download File (29.67 MB) - right click to download
The Bayreuth Festival opened with a much anticipated production of Die Meistersinger von NÃrnberg 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.
6/15/2007 | Download File (30.32 MB) - right click to download
Arturo Toscanini was the most sought-after conductor in the 1930's. He became the first Italian to conduct at Bayreuth, and would have continued performing there had the Third Reich not come to power in Germany. He left Bayreuth in protest and went to the Salzburg Festival. His complete recording of Die Meistersinger from 1937 is readily available, but the fragment that exists from a 1936 performance, taken from a shortwave radio recording, is very rare. We present this historical document in this podcast.
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