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Bayreuth Festival

Suzanne Cords / alsSeptember 6, 2013

Every summer, Wagner fans travel to Bayreuth to enjoy the works of composer Richard Wagner. This year marked the 200th anniversary of his birthday.

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A figure of Richard Wagner by German artist Ottmar Hoerl can be seen in front of the opera house prior to the opening of the Bayreuth Wagner Opera Festival with the showing of 'The Flying Dutchman' in the southern German city of Bayreuth on July 25, 2013. This year, the month-long festival, for which the waiting list for tickets is 10 years and longer, is being opened by a revival of 'The Flying Dutchman' in a staging by German director Jan Philipp Gloger. Copyright: CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP/Getty Images
Image: AFP/Getty Images

Every summer, Wagner fans travel to Bayreuth, in the German region of Franconia. During this time, the otherwise sleepy little town turns into a huge musical arena. For six weeks, the works of composer Richard Wagner take center stage - with new productions regularly provoking both critique and excitement.

On May 22, 2013, the world celebrated the 200th birthday of composer and founder of the Bayreuth Festival, Richard Wagner. July 25 saw this year's anniversary festival kick off - in the Festspielhaus, the very venue the composer designed specifically for his music dramas. Wagner enthusiasts have been able to enjoy his compositions in this exclusive atmosphere since 1876.

This year, the last performance took place on August 28. Here in this collection, we'll captivate you with reports and features on the latest productions.

Skip next section Reports & Analysis

Reports & Analysis

Martin Winkler as Alberich (c) Bayreuther Festspiele / Jörg Schulze

Castorf's 'Ring'

Martin Winkler, Bayreuth's Alberich, calls Castorf's staging a blend of reality and the virtual.
September 6, 2013
Stage director Frank Castorf. Photo ITAR-TASS/ Vladimir Astapkovich

Interview with Frank Castorf, part one

"Ring"- stager Frank Castorf throws conventions overboard. Scandal on the horizon in Bayreuth?
July 24, 2013
Castorf speaks at a press conference alongside the Bayreuth Festival's co-directors Photo: Tobias Hase/dpa

'Exceptional states'

Renowned theater director Frank Castorf offers insight into his 2013 'Ring' production.
July 27, 2013
Burkhard Ulrich as 'Mime' in 'Rheingold' Copyright: Bayreuther Festspiele/Jörg Schulze

Singing as acting

Burkhard Ulrich, who plays 'Mime' at the Bayreuth Festival, talks about the role's challenges.
August 23, 2013
Catherine Foster Copyright: Hans Christoph von Bock/DW

Life experience

As a former nurse, soprano Catherine Foster brings a lot of knowledge about people to her roles.
July 23, 2013
WAgner's Rhine Gold in Bayreuth. Martin Winkler (Alberich), Norbert Ernst (Loge), Burkhard Ulrich (Mime). dpa Foto: Bayreuther Festspiele/Enrico Nawrath. +++(c) dpa - Bildfunk+++

Rick Fulker's Bayreuth Diary, part one

Drilling for oil on "Green Hill?" Rick Fulker on the imaginative new take on the "Ring" in Bayreuth.
July 27, 2013
Rick Fulker, DW. Foto DW/Per Henriksen

Rick Fulker's Bayreuth diary, part two

In the new "Valkyrie," the soloists don't move around - and in the heat, are probably grateful.
July 28, 2013
A view of the Berlin Alexanderplatz-themed stage setting for "Siegfried" Photo: Bayreuther Festspiele/Enrico Nawrath

Bayreuth Diary

Mild temperatures outside, hot under the collar inside the Festspielhaus during "Siegfried."
July 30, 2013
Twilight of the Gods, scene 3 Photo: Bayreuth Festivel/Enrico Nawrath.

Bayreuth diary

Great moments and banalities: as was almost inevitable, the Bayreuth Festival has its scandal.
August 1, 2013
Tristan and Isolde children's opera in Bayreuth 2013 Irene Theorin (Isolde) und Hans-Georg Priese (Tristan)

'Tristan and Isolde' for children

At the Bayreuth Festival, even unrequited love and death can be served up to children.
August 14, 2013
Bayreuth Festspielhaus

Drilling for controversy

The Bayreuth Festival in the Wagner anniversary year: is a theater scandal on the horizon?
July 24, 2013
Tenor Lance Ryan in Bayreuth Copyright: DW/Hans Christoph von Bock

Human flaws

For Canadian singer Lance Ryan, Richard Wagner's 'Siegfried' is like an alter ego.
July 24, 2013
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