Richard Wagner Festivals - The Bayreuth Festivals begin
It's time once again for Germany's most famous opera event: The Richard Wagner Festivals at Bayreuth's Green Hill begin today (4:00 pm) with a new production of the opera "Tristan and Isolde" by Icelandic director Thorleifur Oern Arnarsson, who promised a dark interpretation of the love opera: "Tristan lies dying on the rubble of hopes," he said. The musical direction is by conductor Semjon Bytschkow. The title roles will be sung by Andreas Schager and Camilla Nylund.
Blanco and Leandros - but no Merkel
Walking over the red carpet into the Festival House as honorary guests of the city of Bayreuth will be, for example, Roberto Blanco ("A little fun has to be had"), Vicky Leandros and actor Heiner Lauterbach. And one woman is missing who was among the most loyal regulars in the past decades: The former Federal Chancellor and CDU politician Angela Merkel (70) will not attend the Festivals this year.
The current federal government is also causing a stir, only Culture Minister Claudia Roth (Greens), who recently upset Wagnerians with her proposal not to only perform Wagner in Bayreuth, is traveling there - and she also rowed back.
Roth now: "Of course, Bayreuth is for Wagner"
"Of course, Bayreuth is for Wagner and Wagner is for Bayreuth," said the Green politician to the German Press Agency in Berlin. "To stage Wagner's works in Bayreuth is, of course, the fundamental brand core of this unique festival, and I certainly wouldn't want to change that."
The Festivals have been reserved for the last ten operas of Richard Wagner (1813–1883) since 1876. With a proposal to expand the repertoire with operas by other composers, Roth caused criticism and head shaking not only in the Wagner world. "That's not possible because it's just given, the work canon," said Festspielsprecher Hubertus Herrmann. "That's what sets Bayreuth apart."
Roth: Audience will be more diverse
Roth said: "The artistic direction for Bayreuth is in the hands of Katharina Wagner, also for the next few years. The artistic repertoire on the Hill is decided by her – and definitely not by politics." She is, however, driving the question of how the audience of tomorrow can be won over at Bayreuth and at many other cultural institutions.
The Festivals are well-prepared
Roth sees the Festivals well-equipped. "With the now agreed-upon structural reforms, the Bayreuth Festival can be well-prepared for the future." With the new position of a General Manager, marketing, fundraising, and organizational development can be tackled more targeted.
Up to 84.7 million euros from the Federal Government for renovation
Part of the Bayreuth Festival experience is the historically and architecturally unique Festival Building, whose necessary renovation the Culture Minister has secured.
For this, a joint administrative agreement will be signed with Bavaria, the Festivals, the Richard-Wagner-Foundation, and the city. "The Federal Government will provide up to 84.7 million euros in funding, the other half will be provided by Bavaria." During the renovation, the Festival operations should be possible.
- In addition to Roberto Blanco and Vicky Leandros, actor Heiner Lauterbach will also walk the red carpet as an honorary guest at the Bayreuth Festspiele.
- Regrettably, former Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel (70) will not be attending the Festspiele this year.
- Culture Minister Claudia Roth (Greens) is among the attendees, despite causing controversy with her proposal to expand the repertoire beyond Wagner's operas.
- Claudia Roth reinforced her stance, asserting, "Of course, Bayreuth is for Wagner, and Wagner is for Bayreuth."
- Her proposal to include operas by other composers faced criticism, with Festspielsprecher Hubertus Herrmann stating, "That's not possible because it's just given, the work canon."
- Despite the criticism, Roth emphasized that the artistic direction of the Festspiele lies with Katharina Wagner, who will continue to decide the repertoire.
- Roth is focused on attracting a more diverse audience for the future, stating, "I'm driving the question of how the audience of tomorrow can be won over at Bayreuth and many other cultural institutions."
- The Bayreuth Festival is well-prepared for the future, thanks in part to a joint administrative agreement secured by Claudia Roth for up to 84.7 million euros in renovation funding from the Federal Government and Bavaria.
