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DW Special

Celebrating a genius

Anniversary year

In 2013 the world celebrates 200 years since the birth of a great composer. Richard Wagner's works continue to stimulate big feelings - from enthusiasm to complete rejection. We join the celebrations and the discussions, not only on the "Green Hill" in Bayreuth, but also now on these pages.

Interview

Wagner conductor Christian Thielemann: 'It's now or never!'

Stardirigent Christian Thielemann kommt am 22.05.2013 zu einem Sonderkonzert zum 200. Geburtstag des Komponisten Richard Wagner (1813 - 1883) im Festspielhaus auf dem Grünen Hügel in Bayreuth (Bayern) auf die Bühne. Foto: David Ebener/dpa (zu dpa-lby Bayreuth feiert 200. Geburtstag Richard Wagners vom 22.05.2013)

Christian Thielemann has been called the the world's foremost living Wagner conductor. In Dresden, he spoke with Hans Christoph von Bock about Wagner as a "healthy drug" and whether musical keys can be politicized.

Katharina Wagner: 'We've done some nice things'

Klaus Florian Vogt on playing Wagner's heroes

Bicentennial

Who was Wagner? On the composer's 200th birthday

A new monument in Leipzig honoring Richard Wagner Photo: Jan Woitas/dpa

The poet, director, conductor, author and, most importantly, composer, born on May 22, 1813 in Leipzig, remains a riddle to many. Two hundred years after his birth, the debate goes on.

200 years of Richard Wagner: Celebrating a genius

Crossover

Wagner goes hip hop - maybe

Graffiti that says RAP next to a cartoon character (c) Fair Play Stiftung

To rap fans, it will probably sound like a bad joke: the Berlin-based Fair Play foundation is hosting a competition in which young people are supposed to rap works by Wagner. As the deadline nears, there are no entries.

Anniversary 2013

Bayerische Staatsoper München »Götterdämmerung« von Richard Wagner, Premiere am 30.06.2012 in der Inszenierung von Andreas Kriegenburg, Bühne Harald B.Thor, Kostüme Andrea Schrad - Es spielen (v.l.n.r.): Stephan Gould, Ian Paterson, Anna Gabler - Foto: Claudia Esch-Kenkel

A travel guide to Siegfried & Co.

From Bayreuth to Melbourne: the "Ring" is on playbills worldwide. Wagner's works enjoy booming popularity. A first glimpse of highlights in the anniversary year.

Private Life

Okka von der Damerau (Floßhilde), Angela Brower (Wellgunde), Eri Nakamura (Woglinde), Wolfgang Koch (Alberich), Statisterie der Bayerischen Staatsoper Richard Wagner: Das Rheingold © Wilfried Hösl

Wagner and the fairer sex

Richard Wagner's women did not have it easy sharing life with the headstrong composer. A symposium at Berlin's State Opera investigates the marks Minna Planer, Mathilde von Wesendonck and Cosima von Bülow left behind.

Premiere

Return of the 'Ring'

Final scene in the Theatro Colón Ring production.

Richard Wagner's "Ring of the Nibelung" hadn't been seen in Buenos Aires for decades. On the eve of the year marking the composer's 200th birthday, it returned to the Argentine capital - in a daring abridged version.

Argentine dramas

Wagner's Ring premieres in Buenos Aires

Documentary

The 'Colón Ring' on film

Filmmakers at work in Teatro Colón

At an Argentine production of Wagner's 'Ring,' there was plenty of behind-the-scenes drama. A documentary now tells the story of the difficult show. Its premiere in a Berlin theater was an audience hit.
  • A marathon in Buenos Aires

    A Ring for every occasion

    A marathon in Buenos Aires

    For almost seven hours, the audience in the legendary Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires followed this suspense-filled production directed by Valentina Carrasco and conducted by Roberto Paternostro. The DVD box set, including a 90-minute documentary produced by DW, comes out in early 2013. But which has been the best production of the Ring? Here are some favorites chosen by the Wagner200 team.

  • A bestseller by Solti

    A Ring for every occasion

    A bestseller by Solti

    No other recording of the 'Ring' has won quite so many prizes, nor has sold so many copies. Sir Georg Solti’s production, recorded with the Vienna Philharmonic more than fifty years ago, is the benchmark against which everything is still compared today. A perfect studio production with the biggest voices of the era: Birgit Nilsson as Brünnhilde and Hans Hotter as Wotan. (CD, Decca).

  • A biblical version

    A Ring for every occasion

    A biblical version

    When it comes to Wagner, "Fu" is untouchable. Wilhelm Furtwängler was long the house conductor of the Bayreuth Festival, but astonishingly, he has left no recording of the 'Ring' from Bayreuth. The studio version from 1953, recorded in Rome, brings together the best Wagner voices of the day: historically valuable, but rather hardcore in terms of the sound quality. (CD, EMI)

  • Old-school Bayreuth

    A Ring for every occasion

    Old-school Bayreuth

    The 'Ring' conducted by Joseph Keilberth is hardly an insider tip anymore. The first ever stereo recording of the Ring from 1955 was re-released several years ago by the British record label, Testament. Celebrated upon release as a sensation, this vintage CD garnered much critical praise. Connoisseurs regard it as the "ideal Ring": clear, serious, transparent, pacy. (CD, Testament)

  • Ring of the Century

    A Ring for every occasion

    Ring of the Century

    You have to experience it: Patrice Chéreau's 'Ring' rendition was booed by audiences when it was first staged in Bayreuth in 1976. Later critical reassessment has been much kinder (one performance generated 80 minutes of applause). The Centenary Ring is psychologically refined, a parable about greed and the decline of capitalism, sensitively conducted by Pierre Boulez. (DVD, Universal)

  • A controversial genius

    A Ring for every occasion

    A controversial genius

    Herbert von Karajan's 'Ring' (1966-1970) is always a subject for argument. "Piercing, cold, mannered," say some who dislike the slender voices and the sound reminiscent of chamber music. Others, however, praise Karajan as a genius, a master of the orchestral sound who revolutionized Wagner. It's perfect in this production with the Berlin Philharmonic. (CD, Deutsche Grammophon)

  • Dramaturg of sound

    A Ring for every occasion

    Dramaturg of sound

    In recent years, Christian Thielemann has become a firm favorite with visitors to the Green Hill. His 15-hour 'Ring' from 2007 might be one of the slower versions, but Thielemann remains a master of aural dramaturgy. He loves the pathos and savors the music's most beautiful sequences. One shortcoming of this recording is the rather poor vocal performances by the singers. (CD, Opus Arte)

  • The London Ring

    A Ring for every occasion

    The London Ring

    The 'Ring' in English! Legendary conductor Reginald Goodall was the mastermind behind this 1970s musical adventure with the English National Opera - featuring a translation by Andrew Porter and solid performances by the cast, this version of the Ring continues to impress today. Goodall's Ring is composed and lyrical, precise and yet vibrant. (CD, Chandos)

  • Böhm in Bayreuth

    A Ring for every occasion

    Böhm in Bayreuth

    This 1966 live recording by Karl Böhm is often regarded as the best Bayreuth recording, complete with audience response but largely missing the usual coughing and shuffling. Windgassen, Nilsson & Co. provide the necessary density with their vocal performances; Böhm's conducting is occasionally breathless, but always precise. (CD, Philips)

  • Dragons in New York

    A Ring for every occasion

    Dragons in New York

    Otto Schenk's magical 1989 production at the New York Met avoids everything which Wagner traditionalists tend to hate. Conductor James Levine coaxes a performance from the orchestra of the highest calibre, while world class singers take to the stage. Artistically not quite as engaging as the Chéreau/Boulez Ring, but an exciting spectacle nonetheless - with a solid fanbase. (DVD, Universal)

  • Lord of the Ring(s)

    A Ring for every occasion

    Lord of the Ring(s)

    The Ring meets Las Vegas in this spectacular version by the Spanish theater group, Fura dels Baus, who present breathtaking set pieces in a dazzling production for the 'Lord of the Rings' generation. Zubin Mehta conducts a flawless young orchestra, while vocalists Jennifer Wilson and Matti Salminen shine. 1060 minutes of arresting theater. (DVD, Universal)

  • A Ring Without Words

    A Ring for every occasion

    A Ring Without Words

    Not everyone appreciates the sometimes lengthy vocal parts in Wagner's works. For those wishing to enjoy the 'Ring' as a purely symphonic composition, then Lorin Maazel's 75-minute version, 'The Ring Without Words' is perfect. Whether it be Siegfried's journey along the Rhine or the Ride of the Valkyries, the Berlin Philharmonic provides a virtuoso sound. (CD, Telarc)


    Author: Rainer Traube/gnb | Editor : Louisa Schaefer

Editorial

Why Wagner?

Portrait of Richard Wagner Copyright: ddp images/AP Photo/Trinquart, file

Richard Wagner: composer and conductor, stage director and author, philosopher and playwright. Once a devoted revolutionary, later a professed anti-Semite. Wagner: a deeply German heritage as well.

Books

Inside the maze of Wagner literature

Books about Wagner on a shelf Photo: Anastassia Boutsko

In honor of the Wagner bicentennial in 2013, German publishers are going all out when it comes to the Romantic-era composer. DW's Anastassia Boutsko takes a stab at an overview of this year's issues and reissues.

Video

Bayreuth backstage: The Green Hill