Bayreuth is pursuing a woman conductor
mainAt her pre-festival press conference yesterday, Katharina Wagner announced that Bayreuth would engage its first woman conductor in 2021.
Who?
She wouldn’t say. It’s a long time ahead.
Any guesses?
Here’s ours.
Simone would have been a stronger choice than Inky for the new Ring — but of course 5 years of 3 cycles is a huge commitment.
Inky… Cheeky, and very funny!
Yes. She will also be the next music director of either Sydney or Melbourne Symphony orchestras.
Does it really matter any longer? One empty gesture after another if there is little quality or artistry in evidence.
No, gender shouldn’t matter any longer.
She’d be an excellent choice.
Simone would be a safe and sensible decision, but not very suprising after all these years.
Is it really going to be Holländer (runner-up) for the first ever Maestra of Bayreuth? I find that discriminating!
Is it really going to be Holländer (runner-up) for the first ever Maestra of Bayreuth? I find that discriminating!
Not really. It’s the work her mentor Barenboim never conducted on the Green Hill.
Understandable – no need to accept Holländer if you’ve done Ring, Meisters and Parsifal.
The glass ceiling will be broken when engaging women conductors should not be news. Aren’t we there already?
No.
Yes, we are there, the glass ceiling is broken. What is missing atm is more good female conductors.
There are some good female conductors, even if there are not many mid- or late- career women near the top of their profession. Things are changing, but only slowly.
Well she’s certainly experienced – and there is one great advantage. In Bayreuth one doesn’t need to see her technique, flapping like a demented seagull!
Nor the quivering toothpick…
Er, ‘mystical flickering’ if you please.
An actual quote from a serious review.
Yes, I think Valery did a great job last night!
I am sure that it will be Joana Mallwitz, since last year she is Generalmusikdirektorin at the State Theatre of Nuremburg. Would be an excellent choice. Period.
Ah, Thielemann = ex-Nürnberg, Mallwitz = current Nürnberg. Brilliant!
Yes, someone Daddy can boss around, while sitting in the back row during rehearsals and explaining the acoustical specialities of the Bayreuth pit over and over again.
Mälkki.
I like her a lot, but how much Wagner experience does she have?
Unlikely another Finn after having used Inky for the Ring.
https://www.bayreuther-tagblatt.de/erstmals-in-der-geschichte-der-festspiele-frau-am-dirigentenpult/
Susanna Mälkki for sure… !
I make any bet it will NOT be Young, Mirga, Mallwitz, Mälkki oder or anyone with a strong personality. KW will act as in the Ring: somebody from the second or third row who has no own opinion and is just grateful to be the „first woman“.
Maybe someone flying in from the Netherlands?
But is there such thing as a conductor without a strong personality?