The Bayreuth Festival traditionally end on August 28 with the final performance. Already the next day, most of the participants scatter in all directions, going on vacation, returning home, or taking on new engagements. We asked some colleagues where they would be on August 29, 2012…
For makeup artist Emanuella Torvic from Trier, a first important date of the new season at her home theater is already scheduled for August 29: the dress rehearsal for Evita – the premiere is on August 31 at the Trier Theater.
Wardrobe attendant Alfred Ordnung from Goldkronach is looking forward to a few days of vacation in Franconian Switzerland – after he has thoroughly tidied up and cleaned.
Paulina Dreesen from the ushering staff takes care of all audience concerns during the festival. From August 29, the cellist will once again supervise, among other things, a string class project at a school in her hometown of Dortmund.
For choir singer Sander Heutinck, it’s not worth returning to his home country, the Netherlands. The first bass is one of about 100 choir members who, like numerous orchestra members, are traveling to Barcelona for a guest performance. Therefore, he remains in Bayreuth and spends his time with “packing and cleaning” before departing on August 31.
Also Samuel Youn, who this year, in addition to the Herald (Lohengrin), also took on the title role in The Flying Holländer at short notice, is going to Barcelona. There he will now sing the Holländer instead of the originally planned Herald. Since his last performance was already on August 25, there is time to relax with his family in Cologne before he flies to Barcelona.
The assistant director of The Flying Holländer, Eva-Maria Abelein, also worked in the Artistic Operations Office in August. August 29 is therefore still a regular working day for her: “We are still tidying up the office and preparing everything for the handover. Then I’m driving to my hometown of Passau, and after that, I’m going to the mountains for a week, to the Salzburg region. Vacation!”
For extra Alexandra Friedl, the festival season represents a double burden: Only during the rehearsal period is she primarily an extra, sacrificing part of her annual leave for it. During the last five weeks, she has simultaneously worked in her actual profession, as a medical assistant. “From the 29th, I have a few days off.” To gather some strength. “From September 3, everything will return to normal.” Also at work.
Heike Ungerer from the wardrobe department works year-round at the Hamburg State Opera. On the 29th, she is still tidying up here in Bayreuth, then she’s heading north. From Monday, she will be back at her home theater, where the first premiere is scheduled for September 15.
Roland Schneider worked as an orchestra attendant in Bayreuth during the festival season. He will also continue this task during the Barcelona guest performance. On August 29, he must first dismantle everything at the Festspielhaus and pack it for transfer, to then ensure smooth operations regarding the instruments at the Gran Teatro del Liceu from August 31.
The two festival directors Eva Wagner-Pasquier and Katharina Wagner don’t really have time to catch their breath: On August 29, their desks will also be focused on the guest performance at the Gran Teatro del Liceu, before they travel to Barcelona at the end of the week for on-site organization. Between September 1 and 6, Holländer, Lohengrin and Tristan will be performed there with the soloists of Bayreuth Festival, the festival orchestra, and the festival choir.
More about the guest performance at the Gran Teatro del Liceu…
The press office staff are also heading in different directions: The permanent staff members Peter Emmerich and Friederike Emmerich are enjoying their well-deserved company vacation after the festival season. For the 2012 newsletter editorial team, Günther Philipowski, Andrea C. Röber, and Dominik Tomenendal, August 29 is initially a travel day: After their engagement in Bayreuth, they are returning to Munich, Hamburg, and Berlin, where new jobs and projects await them in September. We thank you for your interest this year and look forward to the 2013 festival season with you!