
George London, Leonie Rysanek, Josef Greindl, Fritz Uhl, et al., vocal soloists/Bayreuth
Festival Orchestra & Chorus/Wolfgang Sawallisch, conductor
WAGNER: Der fliegende Holländer (complete opera)
Wagner’s early masterpiece is heard in an authoritative, truly classic performance from
the composer’s own theater in Bayreuth, Germany, the shrine and Mecca of the true
Wagnerite. Some of the greatest singers of the era lead the cast, including the Canadian-
American bass-baritone George London (1920 –1979), the first American ever to sing
the Dutchman at Bayreuth; the beloved Viennese soprano Leonie Rysanek (1926–1998),
known as the “Queen of Hearts” at the Salzburg Festival; and German bass Josef
Greindl (1912–1993), a stalwart of the Deutsche Oper, Berlin, where he sang in 1,369
performances, mostly Wagner! Live performance, 1959.
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