32 minutes (!) of stormy applause, shouts of bravo, standing ovations, 49 curtain calls – with the acclaimed performance of “Götterdämmerung” on August 28, 2017, not only did the 106th Bayreuth Festival end, but also “Ring des Nibelungen” directed by Frank Castorf is now theater history. For five years, the visually powerful interpretation (stage design by Aleksandar Denić) was on the program. At its premiere in 2013, it was vehemently rejected by the audience, but in the end, there was overwhelming approval for everyone involved in the production. However, the focus of the festival, as always, was the new production of the season: Barrie Kosky staged “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg”, and the audience and critics were (exceptionally) of the same opinion: a great success, not only scenically. With Michael Volle (Hans Sachs) and Johannes Martin Kränzle (Beckmesser), new standards were set in the interpretation of these roles. Over 10,000 Wagner fans followed the premiere live in one of the broadcast cinemas. The extensive supporting program was also very well received: caesuras, discourses, lectures – Bayreuth, in the opinion of the guests, defended its claim: there is no better place in the world for the performance of Richard Wagner’s works. Almost 60,000 visitors from 47 countries were able to secure the coveted tickets for the sold-out performances.
Review 2017
