The Romanian Radio-broadcasting Company these days prepares an exceptional event: the live broadcast via satellite of the inaugural series of Bayreuth Festival, between July 25-August 2. One of the most important festivals of cult music in Europe yesterday opened its gates after the tickets had been sold out almost one year ago, for prices ranging between 160 and 1,200 francs. Since 1876, when Wagner himself set up the festival, Bayreuth has exclusively targeted the elite of music lovers.
This year, the Romanian audience will be able to attend the event just by turning on their radios, because the radio station Romania Actualitati will broadcast live, in an absolute premiere, the inaugural series of the Festival, made up of seven shows. The series of broadcasts will include: “Parsifal,” conducted by Cristoph Eschenbach, on July 25, 16.50-23.30 hours; the Tetralogy “Der Ring des Nibelungen,” conducted by Giuseppe Sinopoly: “Das Rheingold,” July 26, 18.30-21.45; “Die WalkA1re,” July 27, 16.50-23.10; “Sigfried,” July 29, 16.50-23.30, “Gotterdammerung,” July 31, 18.30-24.00; “GA¶tterdA¤mmerung,” conducted by Christian Thielemann, August 1, 16.50-23.40; “Lohengrin,” conducted by Antonio Pappano, August 2, 16.50-22.45.
This year, the Bayreuth Festival will suggest a new Tetralogy, under the wand of Giuseppe Sinopoli, a conductor that many times attended the Festival. The director is Jeurgen Flimm, manager of “Thalia” Theatre from Hamburg. This show will gather many great artists. Tenor Placido Domingo, who is to play the part of Siegmund in “Die WalkA1re,” is expected here with great interest. Another three operas of Wagner to be performed here are, in fact, previous productions: “Parsifal,” “The singer maestros from Nurnberg” and “Lohengrin.”
This year as well, fights over the festival’s helm will cast a shadow over the glory of the festival. Wolfgang Wagner, the composer’s nephew, will remain manager of the festival as late until the end of the year. At the age of 80, Wolfgang Wagner claims though to be a “manager for life,” but Richard Wagner Foundation has already suggested for this seat three women, composer’s relatives: Gudrun Wagner (55, Wolfgang’s second wife), Nike Wagner (54, daughter of Wieland Wagner, Wofgang’s brother) and Eva Wagner-Pasquier (54, Wolfgang Wagner’s daughter from his first marriage). The latter is the Foundation’s favourite due to her experience in the world’s greatest opera houses, from Covent Garden to Opera-Bastille.