Description
This 13 CD box set allows us to relive that legendary Bayreuth Festival year with recordings of Tannhauser from July 22, Die Walkure from July 25, Lohengrin from August 4, and Parsifal from August 5, 1954. For the rapidly expanding loyal audience of "New Bayreuth," which had been establishing itself with remarkable speed since 1951, the year 1954 brought some unexpected surprises. A singer named Theo Adam, previously known only for minor roles, stepped in to replace the towering bass legends Ludwig Weber and Josef Greindl as Fasolt and King Heinrich. Meanwhile, a choir member named Franz Crass was promoted to the role of the Fourth Nobleman in Lohengrin, unaware that just five years later, he would alternate as King Heinrich alongside his already more established young colleague. Equally surprising was Greindl's debut as Gurnemanz in Bayreuth, filling in for Ludwig Weber. Due to the unexpectedly demanding schedule of six Tannhauser performances, Ramon Vinay withdrew from the roles of Parsifal and Siegmund. Wolfgang Windgassen stepped in to take his place, adding to his already substantial Bayreuth commitments.
