As announced by Heinz-Dieter Sense, Commercial Director of Bayreuth Festival, significant financing problems regarding the overall stage design and costume equipment have arisen from the very beginning during preparations for the planned new staging of “Parsifal” in 2016. These could not be satisfactorily resolved even after granting a three-month period for rectification. The consequence would be a significant exceeding of the available budgets. This is unacceptable for Bayreuth Festival GmbH.
After careful consideration, and in consultation with the shareholders of Bayreuth Festival, it was decided to part ways with Jonathan Meese for the aforementioned financial reasons.
Who will be responsible for the direction, stage design, and costumes of the “Parsifal” new staging in 2016 has not yet been determined. The musical direction of the production will be in the hands of Andris Nelsons.