Pennod 5 ‹ Aled Jones: Fy Nhaith Glasurol

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-Welcome to Bayreuth, the town -which lauds the music of Wagner.	0:00:33	0:00:37
-Thank you for joining me -on my classical journey.	0:00:38	0:00:41
-My travels begin in Nuremberg, -an hour's journey from Bayreuth.	0:00:52	0:00:56
-It was here that Adolf Hitler -and the Nazi Party...	0:00:58	0:01:02
-..asserted their power -in their evil rallies of the 1930s.	0:01:02	0:01:05
-I can almost hear the sound -of the marching boots.	0:01:10	0:01:13
-The other sound people -would have heard at the rallies...	0:01:13	0:01:17
-..was the music of Hitler's -favourite composer, Richard Wagner.	0:01:17	0:01:22
-The connection did -Wagner's reputation no favours...	0:01:23	0:01:27
-..but the man himself -expressed extreme views.	0:01:27	0:01:30
-He was one of classical music's -complicated characters.	0:01:30	0:01:34
-Wagner's major opera, -Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg...	0:01:36	0:01:41
-..was set in the 16th century...	0:01:41	0:01:43
-..when the city -was a prominent centre for the arts.	0:01:44	0:01:47
-The meistersingers -were craftsmen and choristers.	0:01:47	0:01:51
-Die Meistersinger -lasts four and a half hours...	0:01:54	0:01:57
-..and is a majestic uplifting opera.	0:01:57	0:02:00
-It's a travesty that the Nazis laid -claim to such magnificent music.	0:02:00	0:02:05
-Wagner's weaknesses are renowned.	0:02:06	0:02:08
-He was an egotist and a womanizer -who caused his two wives misery.	0:02:08	0:02:13
-He also had delusions of grandeur.	0:02:13	0:02:15
-Undoubtedly, Wagner was one of -the greatest composers of all time.	0:02:17	0:02:22
-He wrote 13 operas, -most of which were long...	0:02:25	0:02:28
-..and some -which explored the meaning of life.	0:02:28	0:02:31
-He also incorporated German folklore -and mythology into his operas.	0:02:31	0:02:36
-The fact they were notably German -greatly appealed to Hitler...	0:02:36	0:02:40
-..as he endeavoured -to establish the Third Reich.	0:02:40	0:02:44
-Hitler's career began in Bavaria.	0:02:45	0:02:47
-When he first came to Germany -in 1913 he lived in Munich.	0:02:48	0:02:51
-He attracted attention -following the First World War...	0:02:52	0:02:55
-..for his rousing -nationalistic rhetoric.	0:02:56	0:02:59
-The Nuremberg Rallies -began in 1927...	0:03:01	0:03:04
-..and continued for 10 years.	0:03:04	0:03:06
-They were blatant -Nazi Party propaganda.	0:03:06	0:03:09
-Wagner wasn't responsible -for the events which ensued...	0:03:13	0:03:17
-..but his beliefs -and his music appealed to the Nazis.	0:03:18	0:03:21
-These days, it is the beauty...	0:03:22	0:03:24
-..history and culture of Wagner's -world that is so appealing.	0:03:24	0:03:29
-At its centre -is the town of Bayreuth.	0:03:29	0:03:32
-It was there that Wagner -built his world-class opera house.	0:03:32	0:03:36
-It's a short journey from Nuremberg -to our next destination, Bayreuth.	0:03:38	0:03:43
-Bayreuth possesses -its own history and charm.	0:03:46	0:03:49
-It is the capital of Upper Franconia -and dates back to the 12th century.	0:03:50	0:03:55
-It welcomes -opera lovers the world over...	0:03:55	0:03:58
-..to its two supreme opera houses.	0:03:59	0:04:01
-Richard Wagner carved a niche -for Bayreuth in the world of opera.	0:04:06	0:04:10
-This town also has a long history.	0:04:10	0:04:12
-It was founded by the Bavarians -in the 12th century.	0:04:13	0:04:17
-It evolved from a small town when -the German aristocrats settled here.	0:04:17	0:04:22
-Like many other towns in Bavaria, -it was first established as a fort.	0:04:22	0:04:26
-The river was an important feature, -encompassing the Roter Main.	0:04:27	0:04:31
-In the 18th century...	0:04:41	0:04:43
-..a Prussian princess -succeeded in turning Bayreuth...	0:04:44	0:04:48
-..into a noble town -worthy of a monarchy.	0:04:48	0:04:51
-You'll notice that Bayreuth differs -from the other Bavarian towns...	0:04:55	0:05:00
-..we have already visited.	0:05:00	0:05:02
-A lady called Wilhelmine -was responsible...	0:05:02	0:05:06
-..for introducing -the Baroque and Rococo styles.	0:05:06	0:05:09
-The Baroque architecture of the town -square has miraculously survived.	0:05:12	0:05:17
-Wilhelmine -commissioned this opera house...	0:05:30	0:05:33
-..although it was designed by the -Italian, Giuseppe Galli Bibiena...	0:05:33	0:05:37
-..and constructed by a Frenchman.	0:05:37	0:05:40
-This was once -the largest opera house in Germany.	0:05:41	0:05:44
-The plain facade -doesn't prepare you...	0:05:44	0:05:47
-..for its elaborate interior.	0:05:47	0:05:50
-Who would argue with those...	0:05:50	0:05:52
-..who claim this is one of the most -magnificent Baroque opera houses?	0:05:52	0:05:57
-It has been inspired -by an Italian theatre design...	0:05:59	0:06:03
-..with the loges -facing the royal box.	0:06:03	0:06:06
-Wagner had heard about -Wilhelmine's grand opera house...	0:06:07	0:06:11
-..and came to Bayreuth -to see if it befitted his operas.	0:06:12	0:06:16
-The stage was ideal -but lacked space for the orchestra.	0:06:16	0:06:19
-Wagner was so fond of the town that -he built his own opera house here.	0:06:20	0:06:25
-We must first explore Wagner's -history before his opera house...	0:06:32	0:06:37
-..in order to understand -his musical journey.	0:06:38	0:06:41
-Wagner was rather self-important.	0:06:43	0:06:45
-In the 19th century, when staging -an opera was a huge struggle...	0:06:45	0:06:50
-..he had debts -spiralling out of control...	0:06:50	0:06:54
-..and could never have dreamed -of becoming so successful.	0:06:54	0:06:58
-His first wife, Wilhelmine, known -as Minna, was a beautiful actress...	0:06:58	0:07:03
-..but the two -had very little in common.	0:07:03	0:07:06
-His music -was far too morose for her.	0:07:06	0:07:09
-She once claimed -in a letter to a friend...	0:07:11	0:07:14
-..that he would never be able -to compose pleasant music.	0:07:14	0:07:18
-Minna was fed up -of their financial woes...	0:07:26	0:07:30
-..and of his mistresses giving him -money as well as their affection.	0:07:30	0:07:35
-In spite of this, -he was still penniless.	0:07:35	0:07:38
-During the mid 19th century, he lost -one of the few jobs he had...	0:07:38	0:07:43
-..for taking part -in a republican riot.	0:07:43	0:07:46
-A foolish act, considering -he was employed by the king.	0:07:46	0:07:51
-Since he faced -being arrested or executed...	0:07:51	0:07:55
-..he fled initially to Paris -and then to Switzerland.	0:07:55	0:07:59
-He spent 12 years in exile -before he could re-enter Germany.	0:07:59	0:08:03
-His womanizing -continued in Switzerland.	0:08:05	0:08:08
-He became involved -with a generous patron...	0:08:08	0:08:12
-..who provided -a roof above his head.	0:08:12	0:08:15
-It was during this time that -he started composing his epic...	0:08:15	0:08:19
-..the Ring cycle.	0:08:20	0:08:22
-Creditors and jealous husbands -forced him back to Paris.	0:08:34	0:08:39
-In the end, -Minna finally had enough.	0:08:42	0:08:44
-She left Wagner and returned -to Dresden where she died in 1866.	0:08:45	0:08:48
-He began a relationship -with Cosima von Bulow...	0:08:54	0:08:57
-..the daughter of Franz Liszt, who -was younger than him and married.	0:08:57	0:09:02
-Her husband, Hans, -was a well-known conductor...	0:09:03	0:09:06
-..who had presented -many of his own works.	0:09:06	0:09:09
-But this didn't prevent him -from losing his wife.	0:09:09	0:09:13
-Wagner's lovers -had inspired much of his work.	0:09:14	0:09:17
-We should thank Cosima -for the beautiful Siegfried Idyll...	0:09:17	0:09:21
-..which he presented to her -on her birthday in 1870...	0:09:21	0:09:24
-..when they lived in a luxury villa -on the banks of Lake Lucerne.	0:09:25	0:09:29
-A villa on Lake Lucerne? -How had his luck changed so much?	0:09:33	0:09:37
-He had found someone -who appreciated him...	0:09:37	0:09:40
-..more than any of his mistresses -and his two wives.	0:09:40	0:09:44
-A melancholy young man...	0:09:48	0:09:50
-..called Ludwig Otto -Friedrich Wilhelm...	0:09:50	0:09:54
-..who was crowned King of Bavaria.	0:09:54	0:09:56
-Wagner's operas excited him and he -was determined to help his hero...	0:09:57	0:10:01
-..fulfil his potential.	0:10:02	0:10:04
-Wagner returned to Germany -and all his debts were paid.	0:10:07	0:10:12
-He was given money -to stage his operas...	0:10:12	0:10:14
-..and build -the opera house in Bayreuth.	0:10:15	0:10:18
-Over the following 20 years...	0:10:18	0:10:20
-..it's claimed that Ludwig gave the -composer more than 500,000 marks...	0:10:20	0:10:25
-..which is a hefty sum, -even in today's terms.	0:10:25	0:10:29
-One of the most notable examples -of Ludwig's wealth is this castle...	0:10:34	0:10:39
-..above the village of Schwangau -in south-west Bavaria.	0:10:39	0:10:43
-Schloss Neuschwanstein...	0:10:44	0:10:46
-..was inspired by -the mythology in Wagner's operas...	0:10:46	0:10:49
-..and by medieval romanticism.	0:10:50	0:10:52
-It provided the basis for -every fairy-tale castle since then.	0:10:52	0:10:56
-Ludwig erected three large castles -during his reign...	0:10:58	0:11:02
-..but he was deposed -on the grounds of insanity...	0:11:03	0:11:06
-..and his uncle came to the throne.	0:11:06	0:11:09
-There were angry skirmishes -in Neuschwanstein...	0:11:11	0:11:14
-..before Ludwig was imprisoned -in Berg Castle on Lake Starnberg.	0:11:15	0:11:19
-A few days later, the bodies -of Ludwig and his psychiatrist...	0:11:19	0:11:24
-..were discovered -floating in the lake.	0:11:24	0:11:27
-Their deaths -have never been explained.	0:11:27	0:11:30
-.	0:11:34	0:11:35
-Subtitles	0:11:36	0:11:36
-Subtitles - -Subtitles	0:11:36	0:11:38
-It was here in Wartburg, Eisenach, -that Ludwig, King of Bavaria...	0:11:41	0:11:46
-..came up with the idea -for Neuschwanstein castle.	0:11:46	0:11:49
-Wagner's opera, Tannhauser, -is set in Wartburg.	0:11:53	0:11:57
-A little over a century ago, a -museum dedicated to the composer...	0:12:03	0:12:07
-..was opened -at the foot of the castle.	0:12:08	0:12:10
-There are some 20,000 objects -in the Reuter Wagner Museum...	0:12:12	0:12:16
-..which belonged -to a private collection...	0:12:16	0:12:19
-..acquired by the town of Eisenach.	0:12:20	0:12:22
-The villa was once the home -of author Fritz Reuter.	0:12:23	0:12:27
-The collection contains paintings, -statues, letters, posters...	0:12:27	0:12:32
-..and a library of 5,000 books...	0:12:32	0:12:34
-..which is the second -largest collection after Bayreuth.	0:12:35	0:12:39
-Let us enjoy -an excerpt of Die Walkure...	0:12:39	0:12:42
-..the second opera -in the Ring cycle by Wagner.	0:12:42	0:12:45
-As we return to Bayreuth, let us -explore this grand opera house...	0:13:23	0:13:27
-..inspired and designed by Wagner.	0:13:28	0:13:30
-At times Wagner was penniless.	0:13:35	0:13:37
-He was imprisoned several times -for unpaid debts.	0:13:37	0:13:41
-So how was he able to build -an opera house such as this?	0:13:41	0:13:45
-It was the people of Bayreuth -who donated the land.	0:13:55	0:13:58
-Wagner had a keen admirer -and generous patron.	0:13:58	0:14:02
-Ludwig II of Bavaria provided -the funding for Festspielhaus.	0:14:02	0:14:07
-It was enough to convince his -subjects that their king was insane.	0:14:07	0:14:11
-In 1876...	0:14:12	0:14:14
-..Richard Wagner finally had -the opera house he had coveted.	0:14:15	0:14:18
-It opened with the premiere...	0:14:19	0:14:21
-..of the complete Ring cycle.	0:14:22	0:14:24
-In the audience were doyennes -of 19th-century classical music.	0:14:25	0:14:29
-Tchaikovsky, Grieg, Gounod...	0:14:32	0:14:34
-..Bruckner, Liszt -and Saint Saens - what a line-up!	0:14:34	0:14:37
-It leaves a lasting impression -on audiences and performers alike.	0:14:38	0:14:43
-Apart from its size, Festspielhaus -is famed for its acoustics.	0:14:49	0:14:53
-The interior is mainly wood.	0:14:53	0:14:56
-Wagner wanted to create -what he called a mystic gulf...	0:14:58	0:15:02
-..between the audience and the stage -so that the orchestra was hidden...	0:15:02	0:15:07
-..giving the illusion -the stage was further away.	0:15:08	0:15:11
-As the orchestra was hidden...	0:15:12	0:15:14
-..the audience could focus -on the stage performance.	0:15:14	0:15:18
-It corrected the balance of volume -between singers and orchestra.	0:15:18	0:15:23
-When I think about Wagner...	0:15:25	0:15:27
-..powerful operas spring to mind...	0:15:28	0:15:30
-..with plenty of singers and actors -requiring a large stage.	0:15:30	0:15:35
-This is what you call -an exceptionally large stage.	0:15:35	0:15:39
-Hitler attended Wagner's festivals -regularly in the 1920s and 1930s.	0:15:41	0:15:46
-He was so fond of Wagner's music...	0:15:46	0:15:48
-..that the composer's -blatant anti-Semitism...	0:15:49	0:15:52
-..made him popular among the Nazis.	0:15:52	0:15:55
-At the same time as -the opera house was being built...	0:15:56	0:16:00
-..a new house was built -for the couple in the town.	0:16:00	0:16:04
-Villa Wahnfried -was Wagner's family home until 1966.	0:16:05	0:16:10
-Ten years later -the museum was opened.	0:16:10	0:16:13
-Half the house was destroyed -during WWII and had to be rebuilt.	0:16:13	0:16:18
-A substantial extension was added.	0:16:18	0:16:21
-Wagner managed to keep -the builders of Bayreuth busy.	0:16:21	0:16:25
-When Hitler -became Chancellor in 1933...	0:16:27	0:16:30
-..he was a regular visitor -to the festival.	0:16:30	0:16:33
-He also contributed financially.	0:16:33	0:16:36
-In exchange, Hitler received -the support of Winifred Wagner...	0:16:36	0:16:40
-..the widow of Siegfried, -the composer's son.	0:16:41	0:16:44
-She was born in England.	0:16:44	0:16:46
-Hitler was also fond of Wahnfried, -Wagner's home in Bayreuth...	0:16:46	0:16:51
-..and was a guest there.	0:16:51	0:16:53
-By the end of WWII, -Bayreuth paid the price...	0:16:54	0:16:57
-..for having affiliations -with the Nazis.	0:16:57	0:17:00
-Two-thirds of the city was bombed.	0:17:00	0:17:03
-It took 10 years or more for -the festival to lose the stigma...	0:17:03	0:17:07
-..and the music -to be the focus once again.	0:17:08	0:17:10
-The German word Wahnfried -means peace from delusion...	0:17:12	0:17:15
-..which perhaps is a reflection -of how its owner looked at life.	0:17:15	0:17:20
-He initially wanted to call it -Ergersheim, house of troubles.	0:17:23	0:17:28
-This is King Ludwig keeping vigil.	0:17:34	0:17:37
-Or rather he is -watching over his investment.	0:17:37	0:17:40
-The graves of Richard and Cosima -can be found in the back garden...	0:17:45	0:17:49
-..though Cosima lived on for -another 47 years after his death.	0:17:49	0:17:54
-It was Wagner's wish for the grave -to be unadorned and unmarked.	0:17:54	0:17:58
-Next to him is the small grave -of his beloved dog, Russ.	0:17:58	0:18:02
-It reads, "Here is where -Russ Wagner lies and keeps watch."	0:18:02	0:18:07
-Next door -is the museum of Franz Liszt.	0:18:10	0:18:13
-The numerous rooms take us through -the composer's illustrious career.	0:18:13	0:18:18
-Liszt was a supporter -of Wagner's music...	0:18:23	0:18:26
-..although he was angered -when his daughter, Cosima...	0:18:26	0:18:30
-..left Franz von Bulow for Wagner.	0:18:30	0:18:33
-He refused to speak to her -for many years.	0:18:33	0:18:36
-Three years after Wagner's death -in 1883, they made up...	0:18:38	0:18:41
-..inspiring Liszt -to move to Bayreuth that year...	0:18:42	0:18:45
-..for the Wagner festival.	0:18:46	0:18:48
-Although in poor health -when he arrived...	0:18:48	0:18:51
-..he insisted on -hearing the performances.	0:18:51	0:18:54
-His health deteriorated and he died -in this house on 31 July.	0:18:54	0:18:58
-The place -connects this remarkable town...	0:18:59	0:19:02
-..with another -of classical music's great talents.	0:19:02	0:19:06
-Liszt was a star -and an incredibly handsome man.	0:19:14	0:19:17
-He retained his looks in old age.	0:19:17	0:19:20
-Painters -were keen to paint his portrait.	0:19:21	0:19:24
-They call this the Virtuoso Room.	0:19:27	0:19:30
-In here is an Ibach concert piano -which belonged to Wagner...	0:19:30	0:19:34
-..when he wrote the Parsifal opera.	0:19:35	0:19:37
-The museum gives us an idea....	0:19:37	0:19:39
-..of the composers -with whom Liszt was acquainted.	0:19:40	0:19:43
-Chopin, Hector Berlioz, -Franz Schubert...	0:19:43	0:19:46
-..the Schumanns, -Johannes Brahms, Edvard Grieg...	0:19:47	0:19:50
-..Camille Saint Saens -and Bedrich Smetana.	0:19:50	0:19:53
-It's a comprehensive journey through -classical music's golden era.	0:19:54	0:19:59
-Richard Wagner's life ends in a way -befitting one of his operas.	0:20:00	0:20:05
-He was staying in Venice where it's -claimed he continued his womanizing.	0:20:05	0:20:10
-His mistress was a woman -from the Parsifal chorus.	0:20:11	0:20:13
-Cosima came to Venice -to confront her.	0:20:14	0:20:16
-As Wagner sat at his desk...	0:20:16	0:20:20
-..writing a letter of apology -to his long-suffering wife...	0:20:20	0:20:24
-..he had a fatal heart attack.	0:20:25	0:20:27
-The quill fell from his hand...	0:20:27	0:20:30
-..and written on the paper -was "love and tragedy".	0:20:30	0:20:34
-Wagner's opera house was erected -at the summit of the Green Hill...	0:20:34	0:20:39
-..so that it overlooked the town -which had embraced his designs.	0:20:39	0:20:44
-The theatre can be seen from afar -with a driveway leading up to it.	0:20:46	0:20:51
-The tranquil park -surrounding the buildings...	0:20:55	0:20:58
-..was opened in the 1920s.	0:20:59	0:21:01
-In a sheltered garden lies the busts -of Wagner, Cosima and Franz Liszt.	0:21:01	0:21:05
-They are strangely haunting.	0:21:06	0:21:08
-This palace -was built two centuries ago.	0:21:12	0:21:15
-Nowadays it is -a very remarkable piano factory.	0:21:15	0:21:19
-Steingraeber & Sohne is a respected -name since it was founded in 1852.	0:21:19	0:21:24
-Both Wagner and Liszt -were customers.	0:21:25	0:21:27
-Wagner -was full of praise for the pianos.	0:21:29	0:21:32
-He said they were better -than any other he had ever seen.	0:21:33	0:21:36
-Praise indeed.	0:21:36	0:21:38
-The 205 Steingraeber model...	0:21:40	0:21:43
-..is a direct descendent -of the piano made for Liszt in 1873.	0:21:43	0:21:47
-All the best musicians and composers -came to the Steingraeber factory.	0:21:50	0:21:55
-The place is renowned -in classical music circles.	0:21:55	0:21:59
-Every five years, a new production -of the epic Ring cycle...	0:22:00	0:22:04
-..Der Ring des Nibelungen is staged.	0:22:05	0:22:08
-The tickets -are very difficult to acquire.	0:22:08	0:22:11
-To be successful, you have -to apply for them every year...	0:22:11	0:22:15
-..or you'll end up -at the back of the queue.	0:22:16	0:22:19
-Wagner's great-great-granddaughters, -Eva and Katharina now run the place.	0:22:19	0:22:24
-Bayreuth is integral -to the history of classical music...	0:22:35	0:22:39
-..in particular opera.	0:22:39	0:22:41
-Wagner had his flaws -but his determination...	0:22:42	0:22:45
-..to establish opera -as an unforgettable experience...	0:22:45	0:22:49
-..continues to attract audiences -130 years on.	0:22:49	0:22:52
-As a location, -Bayreuth is hard to beat.	0:22:58	0:23:01
-It is a truly classical town.	0:23:01	0:23:04
-The history of Wagner's life -is as amazing as his major works.	0:23:04	0:23:08
-There is no denying the importance -of the music he left behind.	0:23:08	0:23:13
-S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.	0:23:48	0:23:50
-.	0:23:50	0:23:51

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