[ Recommended CDs of operas by Wagner, Richard (1813-1883)
Choosing the right recording can be a nightmare, with dozens of recordings of the same work available. We've done the research for you and looked up the most reliable sources of recommendation, and we've listed only the very best. Our database is growing steadily: we have recommended CDs for over 400 operas and other works, and a small number of DVDs. Choose any or all of the composer, work or performer that you want to listen to, or press "More" for composers not listed in the first page.
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StraussMozartPucciniBrittenMore
composers...Surprise
me!All opera
CDs & DVDs
StraussMozartPucciniBrittenMore
composers...Surprise
me!All opera
CDs & DVDs
Das Rheingold 
Bernard Haitink, Conductor Theo Adam, Bass-baritone Kurt Rydl, Bass Album title: Wagner - Das Rheingold EMI CDS 7 49853-2 (2-CD) First choice BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, John Deathridge, 10-Oct-1992 | Buy CD or DVD: |
Wagner - Der Ring Des Nibelungen
Das Rheingold Die Walküre Götterdämmerung Siegfried Pierre Boulez, Conductor Gwyneth Jones, Soprano Peter Hofmann, Tenor Heinz Zednik, Tenor Hanna Schwarz, Tenor Siegfried Jerusalem, Tenor Sir Donald McIntyre, Bass-baritone Matti Salminen, Bass Album title: Wagner - Der Ring Des Nibelungen Deutche Grammophon (8-DVD) First choice BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, Patrick Carnegy, 2-Feb-2008 | Buy CD or DVD: |
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
Sir Georg Solti, Conductor Hannelore Bode, Soprano Julia Hamari, Mezzo-soprano Rene Kollo, Tenor Bernd Weikl, Baritone Kurt Moll, Bass Album title: Wagner - Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Decca 417 497-2 (4-CD, 1975) First choice BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, David Huckvale, 3-Jul-1999 | Buy CD or DVD: Download:  |
Die Walküre
Sir Georg Solti, Conductor Régine Crespin, Soprano Birgit Nilsson, Soprano Christa Ludwig, Mezzo-soprano James King, Tenor Hans Hotter, Bass Gottlob Frick, Bass Album title: Wagner - Die Walküre Decca 455 559-2 (4-CD, mid-price) Modern choice BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, Michael Oliver, 28-Jun-1998 | Buy CD or DVD: Buy CD or DVD: Download: |
Götterdämmerung
Bernard Haitink, Conductor Eva Marton, Soprano Siegfried Jerusalem, Tenor Theo Adam, Bass-baritone John Tomlinson, Bass Album title: Wagner - Götterdämmerung EMI CDS 7 54485-2 (4-CD) First choice BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, John Deathridge, 17-Oct-1992 | Buy CD or DVD: |
Lohengrin
Herbert von Karajan, Conductor Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Soprano Rene Kollo, Tenor Siegmund Nimsgern, Baritone Karl Ridderbusch, Bass Album title: Wagner - Lohengrin EMI CMS 5 66519-2 (3-CD, mid-price, 1975-1981) First choice BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, David Huckvale, 25-Jan-2003 | Buy CD or DVD: |
Parsifal
Herbert von Karajan, Conductor Peter Hofmann, Tenor Siegmund Nimsgern, Baritone José Van Dam, Bass Kurt Moll, Bass Album title: Wagner - Parsifal Deutche Grammophon 413 347-2 (4-CD) First choice BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, David Huckvale, 12-Oct-1996 | Buy CD or DVD: Download: |
Wagner - Ring cycle complete
Das Rheingold Die Walküre Götterdämmerung Siegfried Sir Georg Solti, Conductor Birgit Nilsson, Soprano Wolfgang Windgassen, Tenor Album title: Wagner - Ring cycle complete Decca 455 555-2DMO14 (14-CD) Outstanding Gramophone Good CD Guide, 1-Jan-2007 | Buy CD or DVD: |
Siegfried
Pierre Boulez, Conductor Hanna Schwarz, Mezzo-soprano Heinz Zednik, Tenor Sir Donald McIntyre, Bass-baritone Helmut Pampuch, Bass Album title: Wagner - Siegfried Philips 434 423-2 (3-CD) First choice BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, John Deathridge, 17-Oct-1992 | Buy CD or DVD: |
Tannhäuser
Sir Georg Solti, Conductor Helga Demesch, Mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig, Mezzo-soprano Rene Kollo, Tenor Album title: Wagner - Tannhäuser Decca 414 581-2 (3-CD) First choice BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, John Warrack, 30-Dec-1995 | Buy CD or DVD: Download: |
Der Fliegende Holländer (The Flying Dutchman)
Karl Böhm, Conductor Gwyneth Jones, Soprano Sieglinde Wagner, Contralto Hermin Esser, Tenor Thomas Stewart, Bass-baritone Karl Ridderbusch, Bass Album title: Wagner - The Flying Dutchman Deutche Grammophon E 437 710-2 (2-CD, mid-price, 1971) First choice BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, John Deathridge, 25-Mar-2000 | Buy CD or DVD: Download: |
Tristan and Isolde
Wilhelm Furtwängler, Conductor Kirsten Flagstad, Soprano Ludwig Suthaus, Tenor Album title: Wagner - Tristan und Isolde EMI CDS 7 47322-8 (4-CD) First choice BBC Radio 3 Building a Library, John Steane, 24-Jun-1995 | Buy CD or DVD: |
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