Breaking: Petrenko’s ‘partner’ pulls out of Bayreuth

Anja Kampe has cancelled this summer’s appearances as Isolde after a reported row with Christian Thielemann.

She is to be replaced by Evelyn Herlitzius. Kampe will, however, sing Sieglinde in the Ring, conducted by Kirill Petrenko.

Bayreuth press statement:

The direction of the Bayreuther Festspiele notes with great regret that Anja Kampe returned the part of Isolde for this year´s new production of “Tristan und Isolde”. The termination of the contract was mutually agreed. The direction of the Bayreuth Festival is very happy to announce that Anja Kampe will none the less sing the part of Sieglinde under the musical direction of Kyrill Petrenko.

German media have identified Kampe as the companion of Kirill Petrenko.

The disaffection between Thielemann and Petrenko may lie behind these late changes.