The Local Germany

'Mad' King Ludwig's lost porcelain gift to Wagner gets rare show

Wed, 16 May 2018 12:58:08 +0200

Kept safe in a silk-lined box by its Belgian "custodian" lies a piece of the historic legacy of German composer Richard Wagner that was nearly lost forever.

Opening opera at famed Wagner festival holds mirror up against composer’s anti-Semitism

Wed, 26 Jul 2017 16:04:14 +0200

An edgy new opera production by Australian Jewish director Barrie Kosky tackling Wagner's anti-Semitism head-on won rapturous applause at Germany's renowned Bayreuth opera festival and rave reviews Wednesday.

Rapturous reception at Wagner fest's opening night

Tue, 26 Jul 2016 11:04:11 +0200

Germany's legendary Bayreuth opera festival, dedicated to the works of Richard Wagner, got off to a rapturous start on Monday with a brand new production of the composer's last opera, "Parsifal", enthusiastically received by the first-night audience.

Technical glitch & boos kick-off Wagner fest

Sat, 26 Jul 2014 14:02:00 +0200

The opening night Friday of the world-famous Bayreuth Festival, the month-long summer opera extravaganza dedicated to the works of Richard Wagner, was halted for nearly an hour due to a technical hitch while fans were not impressed with the modern take of "Tannhäuser".

Wagner 'lite' operas storm Bayreuth festival

Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:28:00 +0200

Mini versions of Richard Wagner's best-known works are on offer in Bayreuth this year for those who baulk at the prospect of sitting through operas lasting five hours and more.

Bayreuth Wagner festival stages entire Ring

Sun, 21 Jul 2013 11:41:00 +0200

The Bayreuth Festival, the annual month-long summer music fest dedicated to Richard Wagner (1813-1883), is staging seven operas in the bicentenary year.

Opera star pulls out in swastika tattoo scandal

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 12:01:00 +0200

A Russian metal drummer turned star opera singer has pulled out of this year's legendary Bayreuth Festival just three days before the opening premiere - after a scandal broke over a Nazi symbol tattooed on his chest.

Wagner opera house gets 'world heritage' status

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 15:25:00 +0200

Germany's Margravial Opera House in Bayreuth, famous for its annual Wagner festival, is joining the list of sites classed by UN cultural body UNESCO as world heritage, the organisation said on Saturday.

Black market in Wagner festival tickets booms

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 11:35:00 +0200

The number of people buying and selling black market tickets to the legendary Bayreuth festival is higher than ever before, a financial newspaper reported on Thursday.

Wagner festival opens with taboo-shattering Israeli performance

Mon, 25 Jul 2011 19:42:00 +0200

Germany's 100th Wagner opera festival kicked off in Bayreuth on Monday in an edition that will include a taboo-busting performance by an Israeli orchestra.

Nike Wagner bids in battle to head Bayreuth opera festival

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:13:00 +0200

Belgian opera impresario Gerard Mortier is teaming up with Nike Wagner, great-granddaughter of composer Richard Wagner, in a bid to run the legendary Bayreuth Festival, a report said Monday.

Rain floods Bayreuth Festival playhouse

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 10:10:00 +0200

A performance of Richard Wagner's "Siegfried" at this year's Bayreuth Festival was delayed on Thursday evening owing to torrential rain that flooded parts of the legendary Festspielhaus theatre.

Anaemic 'Rhinegold' opens Dorst's 'Ring' in Bayreuth

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 14:43:00 +0200

Despite its short running time, the first installment of Tankred Dorst's production of Richard Wagner's sprawling four-opera "Ring" will leave you squirming in your seat, writes AFP's Simon Morgan.

First public Bayreuth viewing a success

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:00:00 +0200

More than 15,000 people showed up for a successful first-ever public viewing of a Bayreuth Festival opera, “The Master Singers of Nuremburg,” on Sunday evening.

After 57 years, Wolfgang Wagner bows out in Bayreuth

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 10:53:00 +0200

The Richard Wagner bicentenary is still five years off and the Bayreuth Festival’s 100th edition even further along in 2011, but this year’s events on the fabled Green Hill in Germany will make history for another reason.

Wagner's grandson steps down as Bayreuth director

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:09:00 +0200

Richard Wagner's grandson is resigning after 57 years as director of the Bayreuth Festival, but the long-running family feud over who will succeed him is set to continue.

Wagner women battle for Bayreuth

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 16:42:00 +0200

While it now seems certain that Germany’s famed Bayreuth festival will pass into the hands of two Wagner women, the question is, which two?