For this recording the orchestra of the radio station was supported by musicians from other orchestras, and Furtwängler had more than a month available for rehearsals. The whole work was also performed in sections in front of a small audience to give the singers a break. Because these superb recordings were not released for 25 years due to legal restrictions they have taken on legendary status. The illustrious casts of singers for the four operas include Ferdinand Frantz, Wolfgang Windgassen, Gottlob Frick, Hilde Konetzni, Martha Mödl, Ludwig Suthaus, Josef Greindl and Margarete Klose.
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