Not only Wagner in Bayreuth? - Debate about Wagner's special status at Bayreuth Festspiele
For the esteemed "Times" in London, the outrage of the Wagnerians is front-page news: "Moronic" was their view, according to the paper, of what Culture Minister Claudia Roth (Greens) had demanded. Other music than that of Richard Wagner at the Bayreuth Festivals? "Foolish" - so quoted the "Times" "Opera fans." Roth was accused of sacrilege.
Roth floats Engelbert Humperdinck's Hänsel und Gretel before her
And that's how it is from the perspective of convinced Wagnerians, what Roth demanded just before the start of the festivals on this Thursday (25. July). She argued for the inclusion of other composers on the Green Hill alongside Richard Wagner. "Approximately Engelbert Humperdinck's Hänsel und Gretel is what comes to mind. It's an opera that comes from the Wagner tradition. There are indeed many such works," Roth told the newspapers of the Bayern media group.
It's important that institutions like the Festivals open themselves more to a younger audience. Bayreuth should become more diverse, colorful, and younger overall. However, she also acknowledged: "However, one must not forget that it has been stipulated so far that the Festival House may only be used for the performance of the works of Richard Wagner." The Festivals refer to this provision upon request.
Bavaria will not approve constitutional amendment
The unthinkable was now on the table - and for that, there was immediate fierce opposition from Bavaria. The Free State would not approve the necessary constitutional amendment in the Foundation Council of the Festspiele, said Art Minister Markus Blume (CSU) to the newspapers of the Bayern media group: "The constitution is clear, and there is no need for a change. Bavaria would not approve it. Wagner is the substance that Bayreuth lives on."
"Roth didn't understand the Bayreuth myth"
Blume saw potential for modernizing the Festivals in new formats, exciting productions, and musical excellence - but not in expanding the repertoire: "One comes to Bayreuth because one can hear Wagner there in a brilliance that is not found anywhere else." He said: "I have the feeling that Frau Roth didn't understand the Bayreuth myth. Bayreuth lives from Wagner."
What consequences Roth's thought provoking statement may have for future festivals - and whether it has any at all, is therefore completely open. However, in this year, the Green politician's demand springs somewhat unexpectedly for the traditional Festival scandal with cancellations, last-minute cancellations, or what else may have happened in Bayreuth in the past years.
Katharina Wagner with a strong back and a new contract
Otherwise, it was surprisingly quiet on the Green Hill. Festival director Katharina Wagner goes with a strong back and a recently extended contract into the opera spectacle and further years as ruler of the Hill - and this year, there are more women in prominent positions than ever: three conductors lead the orchestra in this year. For the first time, there are therefore more women than men at the podium in the famous Bayreuth Orchestergraben.
Simone Young as "Ring" conductor
For the four-part opera work "Der Ring des Nibelungen" by Wagner, Katharina Wagner managed to secure Simone Young as the conductor: The Australian is known as an expert Wagner scholar. It's only natural that she now leads the "Ring" in Bayreuth. possibly Young's expected sovereignty may dampen the calls for the regie concept of Valentin Schwarz, which has been reliable in the past years.
In the fourth year, the Ukrainian conductor Oksana Lyniv is present as musical director of "Der Fliegende Holländer". In the second consecutive year, Nathalie Stutzmann conducts Tobias Kratzer's successful and acclaimed "Tannhäuser".
The festivals are traditionally opened on July 25th, and this year with a new production of "Tristan und Isolde". Regie is led by Thorleifur Örn Arnarsson from Iceland, musical leadership is provided by Semyon Bychkov.
Running onto the red carpet into the festival house will be, for example, Roberto Blanco ("A little fun must be had"), Vicky Leandros or also actor Heiner Lauterbach. The current federal government is noticeably absent, only Roth is traveling. And a woman is missing who has been one of the most loyal regulars in the past decades: The former Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) will not attend the festivals this year. The reason is unknown. Merkel's office remains tight-lipped.
And of course, there are still intriguing questions surrounding the festivals, such as whether the cost-saving efforts in the choir and orchestra might perhaps be narrowing the artistic level. And in general - in times of empty state coffers: How much money from Munich and especially Berlin will continue to flow to Bayreuth?
And not least, Katharina Wagner herself has repeatedly called for reforms in the complex structures. Roth said in her sensational interview, "The festival no longer runs on its own like in earlier times, where one had to wait for years to get a ticket."
Festivals almost sold out
"The annual Bayreuth Festivals are, with the exception of a few remaining tickets for the 'Parsifal' performance on August 14th, sold out," said Festspiel-Sprecher Hubertus Herrmann to the German Press Agency. Tickets for this performance were still available for online immediate purchase.
At least in the great jubilee year 2026, when 150 years of festival history will be celebrated, Katharina Wagner plans a deviation from the strict canon: Wagner's work "Rienzi" is to be performed at the festival house.
- Ms. Claudia Roth, the Green Party's Culture Minister, proposed the inclusion of composers other than Richard Wagner at the Bayreuth Festivals, stirring controversy.
- Markus Blume, Bavaria's Art Minister from the CSU, disagreed with Roth, stating that the constitution does not necessitate a change and that Bavaria would not approve it.
- Katharina Wagner, festival director with a recently extended contract, is leading the orchestra with more women in prominent positions than ever before at the Bayreuth Festivals.
- Simone Young, an expert Wagner scholar and conductor from Australia, will lead the "Ring" of Wagner's opera in Bayreuth this year, possibly dampening the calls for a specific regie concept.
- In this year's festivals, Oksana Lyniv will serve as musical director of "Der Fliegende Holländer," while Nathalie Stutzmann leads Tobias Kratzer's acclaimed "Tannhäuser."
- Angela Merkel, the former Federal Chancellor, will not attend the Bayreuth Festivals this year, leaving many intriguing questions and speculations unanswered.
- Engelbert Humperdinck's opera Hänsel und Gretel was mentioned by Roth as an example of other works she believed could be included in the festivals, but the actual implementation remains uncertain.
- Richard Wagner's music remains central to the festivals, with discussions surrounding potential modernizations and the question of expanding the repertoire continuing to polarize opinions.
- Amidst the ongoing discussions and debates, the annual Bayreuth Festivals are almost sold out, with only a few remaining tickets for the "Parsifal" performance on August 14th.
