Another important person brought in at this time was Reginald Goodall. At 78 Reggie, as he was always known, was considered
by many to be the greatest Wagnerian conductor of his generation, even though his talents had not always been recognised at
the Royal Opera House. In 1979, McMaster invited him to conduct his first Tristan and Isolde. When he arrived in Cardiff to begin rehearsals, Reggie climbed onto the podium while McMaster made a speech of welcome. The orchestra sat, waiting for him to say a few words. Instead he looked at his score and began turning pages. After a while, he looked up. ‘Gentlemen,’ he said, ‘I have begun.’