Richard Wagner: Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman) – Live Bayreuth Festival 1955 (2-CD Set)

Product Information

• UPC: 8025726222712
• Product Type: 2 Audio CDs
• Format: ADD Mono
• Audio Quality: 24bit/96kHz Restoration (USD Restoration System)
• Duration: Approximately 152 minutes (TT-152'45")
• Label: Urania Produzioni Discografiche S.a.s., Milan, Italy
• Catalog Number: URN 22.271 / URN 22.271 2
• Recording Date: Live at Bayreuth Festival, July 25, 1955
• Conductor: Hans Knappertsbusch
• Orchestra & Chorus: Orchestra and Chorus of the Bayreuth Festival
• Language: German
• Region: USD Restoration System (Digital restoration)
• Original Recording Source: Bayerisches Rundfunk

Overview

This exquisite 2-CD set captures a historic live performance of Richard Wagner’s opera Der fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman) conducted by the legendary Hans Knappertsbusch at the prestigious Bayreuth Festival in 1955. Featuring a stellar cast including Hermann Uhde, Astrid Varnay, Wolfgang Windgassen, Ludwig Weber, Josef Traxel, and Elisabeth Schärtel, this recording presents the full romantic opera in three acts as originally premiered in Dresden on January 2, 1843.

Presented in high-resolution audio with careful restoration using the USD Restoration System, this edition preserves the vibrant energy and grandeur of the Bayreuth stage, delivering an authentic experience of one of Wagner’s most dramatic works. The mono sound maintains the historic atmosphere of the live broadcast while offering clarity for classical music enthusiasts and collectors.

Product Features

• Format: 2 CDs, Mono
• Audio Quality: Digitally restored at 24bit/96kHz using USD Restoration System
• Length: 152 minutes total playing time

• Performers:

  Orchestra & Chorus: Bayreuth Festival Orchestra and Chorus
  • Hermann Uhde (Der Holländer)
  • Astrid Varnay (Senta)
  • Wolfgang Windgassen (Erik)
  • Ludwig Weber (Daland)
  • Josef Traxel (Steuermann)
  • Elisabeth Schärtel (Mary)
• Conductor: Hans Knappertsbusch
• Recording Type: Live performance, July 25, 1955
• Restoration & Production: Alessandro Nava

Interesting Facts

• Historical Significance: This live recording from 1955 is a treasured document of post-war Bayreuth, conducted by one of the festival’s most revered maestros, Hans Knappertsbusch, known for his deeply spiritual and grand Wagner interpretations.
• Legendary Cast: Featuring celebrated Wagnerian voices of the mid-20th century, this cast delivers a powerful and emotionally charged performance true to the opera’s dramatic and romantic essence.
• Restoration Excellence: Using the USD 24bit/96kHz Restoration System, this release offers enhanced sound clarity while preserving the original live atmosphere, making it a must-have for collectors and aficionados.
• Opera Overview: "Der fliegende Holländer" is a romantic opera in three acts by Wagner, telling the tale of the cursed sea captain doomed to sail forever until redeemed by true love, originally premiered in Dresden, 1843.

Track Listing

(Track timings approximate; full opera in three acts)

• Act I – Der Holländer, Daland, Steuermann, Erik, Senta, Mary
• Act II – Drama unfolds with intense orchestration and vocal power
• Act III – Climactic resolution of the opera’s tragic love story

Complete libretto in German is included with the original recording.

Publishers

Released by Urania Produzioni Discografiche S.a.s., Milan, Italy, 2004. Original live broadcast by Bayerisches Rundfunk. Digitally restored and produced by Alessandro Nava.

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• English: #RichardWagner #DerFliegendeHolländer #HansKnappertsbusch #BayreuthFestival #OperaLiveRecording #WagnerOpera #ClassicalMusic #OperaCD #UraniaRecordings
• German: #RichardWagner #DerFliegendeHolländer #HansKnappertsbusch #BayreutherFestspiele #OperLiveAufnahme #WagnerOper #KlassischeMusik #OperCD #UraniaAufnahmen