(Credit: Emelie Kroon) When COVID-19 struck a few months back, one of the final “live” performances to take the stage was a rendition of Wagner’s “Die Walküre” in Sweden. Among the performers in that production was dramatic soprano Elisabet Strid, who took on the role of Sieglinde. Strid, who has performed in such opera houses as the Teatro Real, Lyric {…}
(Credit: Dario Acosta NY) German mezzo-soprano Tanja Ariane Baumgartner is one of the most sought-after opera singers of our time. Baumgartner has been a member of the ensemble at Oper Frankfurt since the 2009-10 season. During her time in Frankfurt, Tanja Baumgartner made appearances in numerous operas including “Carmen,” “Giulio Cesare in Egitto,” “Don Carlo,” “Medea,” “Die Frau ohne Schatten,” {…}
The Bayreuth Festival has announced that it will be offering up an alternative event this summer due to the ongoing concerns over COVID-19. The company announced that it would be featuring live performances as well as broadcasting others via radio, television, and the internet. There will be a live event featuring conductor Christian Thielemann with members of the Festival Orchestral {…}
Bayreuth Festival Director Katharina Wagner is reportedly stable in her battle with a “long-term illness.” Per the Festival, “Katharina Wagner is still gravely ill though stable. The process of recovery will take several months.” A few weeks back it was announced that Wagner would be stepping down from her position in order to deal with an unknown illness. She was {…}
The Bayreuth Festival has revealed that Katharina Wagner will no longer continue as its director for the time being due to a long-term illness. Per reports, Holger von Berg, managing director of the Bayreuth Festival, will take over alongside Heinz-Dieter Sense, the former director of commerce. “Katharina Wagner was ill for a long time and could not hold her position {…}
The Bayreuth Festival has canceled its 2020 season postponing its upcoming Ring Cycle. The festival announced that in “view of the effects of the Corona crisis on the operations of the Bayreuth Festival GmbH, the management and the shareholders of the Bayreuth Festival GmbH – the Federal Republic of Germany, the Free State of Bavaria, the City of Bayreuth and {…}
(Credit: Arielle Doneson) The article has been edited since its original publication. Christine Goerke will no longer make her debut at the Bayreuth Festival in Wagner’s “Götterdämmerung” this summer. The company announced that due to personal reasons that will limit the soprano from long rehearsal periods, Goerke will no longer participate in the new production. Instead, Goerke will is now scheduled {…}
(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 {…}
