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Donald Macleod marks Sir Charles Mackerras鈥檚 centenary exploring his recording of the prologues and preludes to some of Wagner's best-loved music dramas.

Donald Macleod explores Wagner鈥檚 life through the lens of his dreams 鈥 musical, romantic, and revolutionary. In this special centenary tribute to conductor, Sir Charles Mackerras, we begin with Wagner鈥檚 early years: a headstrong youth with big ideas and a growing obsession with myth and music. Mackerras鈥檚 legacy as a conductor and champion of Wagner is woven through today鈥檚 programme.

Die Walk眉re, Act III, Scene 1: I. Hojotoho! Heiaha! 鈥 鈥淭he Ride of the Valkyries鈥
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor

Tannh盲user, Overture and Venusberg Music
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor

Die Meistersinger von N眉rnberg, Prelude
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor

Tristan und Isolde, Prelude to Act 1
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor

G枚tterd盲mmerung, Prologue: 鈥淪iegfried鈥檚 Rheinfahrt鈥
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor

Produced by Ellie Ajao for 麻豆社 Audio Wales and West.

59 minutes

Last on

Mon 17 Nov 2025 16:00

Music Played

  • Richard Wagner

    Die Walkure, Act 3, The Ride of the Valkyries

    Conductor: Charles Mackerras.
  • Richard Wagner

    Tannhauser (Overture; Venusberg music)

    Orchestra: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Charles Mackerras.
    • ABC CLASSICS : ABC-4812992.
    • ABC CLASSICS.
    • 1.
  • Richard Wagner

    Die Meistersinger von N眉rnberg (Prelude)

    Orchestra: Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Charles Mackerras.
    • ABC CLASSICS : ABC-4816458.
    • ABC CLASSICS.
    • 1.
  • Richard Wagner

    Tristan und Isolde (Prelude to Act 1)

    Orchestra: Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Charles Mackerras.
    • ABC CLASSICS : ABC-4816458.
    • ABC CLASSICS.
    • 3.
  • Richard Wagner

    Gotterdammerung Prologue

    Orchestra: Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Charles Mackerras.
    • ABC CLASSICS : ABC-4816458.
    • ABC CLASSICS.
    • 5.

Broadcast

  • Mon 17 Nov 2025 16:00

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