Bayreuth Festival

July

August

Parsifal - Parsifal is an opera composed by Richard Wagner. It is a three-act opera that premiered in 1882. The story is based on the medieval epic poem Parzival by Wolfram von Eschenbach. The opera follows the journey of the title character, Parsifal, a young knight who is destined to become the new guardian of the Holy Grail. Parsifal encounters various challenges and temptations along the way, including the seductive sorceress Kundry and the evil sorcerer Klingsor. The opera explores themes of redemption, spirituality, and the power of compassion. It is known for its lush and complex music, as well as its philosophical and religious undertones.

Das Rheingold - Das Rheingold is the first of the four operas that make up Richard Wagner's epic cycle, The Ring of the Nibelung. It premiered in 1869. The opera tells the story of the theft and subsequent curse of a magical ring, which grants its owner unlimited power. The story revolves around the gods, giants, dwarves, and other mythical creatures who are all vying for control of the ring. The opera explores themes of greed, power, and the corrupting influence of wealth.

Die Wakure - Die Walkure is the second opera in Richard Wagner's four-opera cycle, The Ring of the Nibelung. It premiered in 1870 and is set in a mythological world of gods, heroes, and mythical creatures. The story follows the love affair between the mortal hero Siegmund and the goddess Valkyrie Brünnhilde, as well as the conflicts and power struggles among the gods.

Tannhauser - Tannhäuser is an opera composed by Richard Wagner. It premiered in 1845 and is based on the German legend of the knight and poet Tannhäuser. The opera tells the story of Tannhäuser's journey from the Venusberg, a mythical underground realm of pleasure, to the real world and his struggle for redemption. It explores themes of love, desire, and spirituality.

Siegfried - Siegfried is the third opera in Richard Wagner's four-opera cycle, The Ring of the Nibelung. It premiered in 1876 and continues the story of the previous operas, Das Rheingold and Die Walkure. The opera follows the adventures of the hero Siegfried as he seeks to claim the powerful ring and defeat the dragon Fafner. Along the way, he encounters various characters from Norse mythology, including the god Wotan and the Valkyrie Brunnhilde. The opera is known for its complex and intricate music, as well as its exploration of themes such as love, power, and destiny.

Gotterdammerung - Götterdämmerung, also known as Twilight of the Gods, is the fourth and final opera in Richard Wagner's four-opera cycle, The Ring of the Nibelung. It premiered in 1876 and is set in the mythological world of gods, heroes, and mythical creatures. The opera tells the story of the downfall of the gods and the destruction of the world. It is a complex and dramatic work that explores themes of power, love, and redemption.

Der fliegende Hollander - Der fliegende Holländer, also known as The Flying Dutchman, is an opera composed by Richard Wagner. It premiered in 1843 and is based on the legend of the Flying Dutchman, a ghostly sailor doomed to sail the seas forever. The story follows the Dutchman, who is cursed to wander the oceans until he finds a faithful woman who will love him until death. He meets Senta, a young woman who becomes infatuated with him and promises to be faithful to him. However, her loyalty is tested when her former lover, Erik, tries to win her back. The opera explores themes of redemption, love, and the power of faith.

Tristan und Isolde - Tristan und Isolde is an opera composed by Richard Wagner. It premiered in 1865 and is based on the medieval romance of Tristan and Isolde. The opera tells the story of the tragic love affair between the knight Tristan and the Irish princess Isolde. The two fall deeply in love, but their love is forbidden and leads to their ultimate demise. The opera is known for its intense emotional depth and its innovative use of harmony and orchestration.