(Credit: David Ebener/DPA) Bayreuth Festival’s press chief Peter Emmerich has died. The Bayreuth Festival announced the news of Emmerich’s death who served as the press spokesman of the Bayreuth Festival for 30 years. Emmerich began his work at the Bayreuth in 1989 after working at the Semperoper in Dresden. In a statement, the Festival said, “The Bayreuth Festival is shocked {…}
It has been announced that Katharina Wagner has renewed her contract as general manager of the Bayreuth Festival for five years. First coming to the position with her step-sister Eva Wagner-Pasquier in 2008, Wagner became the sole head in 2015 and is set to continue her service until 2025. The great-granddaughter of Richard Wagner, Katharina Wagner made her directorial debut {…}
Valery Gergiev has canceled the August 13, 2019 performance of Wagner’s “Tannhäuser” at the Bayreuth Festival. The festival announced that due to a family bereavement, Gergiev would not be able to conduct the opera. Gergiev was booed during the opening night of the festival and has received mixed reviews for his conducting of the work. As a result, Christian Thielemann will {…}
The Bayreuth Festival has announced its 2020 season. As previously announced the season will focus on a new production of Wagner’s “Der Ring des Nibelungen.” Pietari Inkinen will conduct the production with Valentin Schwarz directing the new production with sets designed by Andrea Cozzi. Andy Besuch will be responsible for the costumes. In addition to three complete The Ring Cycles, the {…}
Anna Netrebko has canceled her Bayreuth Festival debut. The festival announced that due to fatigue, the soprano would not sing the role of Elsa in “Lohengrin.” The soprano, who was set to make her debut on August 14, was ordered three weeks of rest. The cancelation is the second in the past two weeks as Netrebko also withdrew from her {…}
The Bayreuth Festival has announced its 2020 Ring Cycle. The festival announced that Pietari Inkinen will conduct the new production by Valentin Schwarz, both making notable debuts. The Ring Cycle will see Lise Davidsen perform the role of Sieglinde, Andreas Schager in his signature role as Siegfried in “Siegfried,” Petra Lang as Brünnhilde in “Die Walküre,” Daniela Köhler as Brünnhilde in {…}
The Bayreuth Festival has announced a cast change for the opening night performance of Wagner’s “Tannhauser.” The festival announced that due to injury during the stage rehearsal Ekaterina Gubanova would not be able to perform on opening night scheduled for July 25, 2019. As a result, Elena Zhidkova will take on the role of Venus in the new production, which {…}
Camilla Nylund has canceled her recital at the Festival de Peralada so that she can take on the role of Elsa in “Lohengrin” in Bayreuth. Per Scherzo, the recital, which was originally scheduled for August 3, 2019 was canceled as Nylund could not resist an opportunity to jump into a production of the Wagner opera when the famed festival came {…}
Over the last few months, one of the biggest headlines has been the announcement that the Bayreuth Festival would be taking its forces to Abu Dhabi for a couple of performances of Wagner’s “Die Walküre.” The Bayreuth Festival isn’t known for traveling abroad for its productions and Abu Dhabi is not among the recognized homes of opera. But this shift {…}
The Bayreuth Festival has announced that in 2019, the festival will travel to two different countries. The festival announced that on Jan. 30 and Feb. 1, it will travel to Abu Dhabi for Wagner’s “Die Walküre” as part of the Abu Dhabi Classics in 2019. In March, the company will travel to Tokyo for “Der Fliegende Holländer.” The announcement comes {…}
It’s a big weekend all around Europe. You can be sure that you will see some incredible opera and this week’s selection feature some repertory staples as well as some rarer works. Salome – Salzburg Festival, Austria Asmik Grigorian sings the title role in Strauss’ classic opera in a new production from Romeo Castellucci. John Daszak, Anna Maria Chiuri, and Gabor Bretz round {…}
