The first attempts at 'radio opera', the adaptation of stage works for radio, were carried out in Berlin, followed soon after by commissions for original works in the medium. General comprehensibility was the most important principle and the listener was intended to have an exciting listening experience with the help of modern technical means. Although still lacking in dramatic musical experience, Werner Egk sensed the fascination emanating from this avant-garde genre, taking as his chief model for Columbus Stravinsky’s Oedipus Rex. The experienced conductor Hermann Scherchen stood by him as advisor.

Artists

Romuald Pekny (narrator), Rolf Boysen (narrator), Fritz Wunderlich (soloist), Lia Montoya (soloist), Ernst Gutstein (soloist), Hans Herbert Fiedler (soloist), Willy Ferenz (soloist), Wolfgang Anheisser (soloist), Wolfried Lier (narrator), Til Kiwe (narrator), Siegurd Fitzek (narrator), Walter Holton (narrator), George Pappas (narrator, soloist), Max Proebstl (soloist), Hans Stein (narrator), Karl Hanft (narrator), Eduard Linkers (narrator), Friedrich Lenz (soloist), Symphonie-Orchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Werner Egk