Just in: Gergiev’s out of Bayreuth

Just in: Gergiev’s out of Bayreuth

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norman lebrecht

August 13, 2019

Valery Gergiev has dropped out of tonight’s Tannhäuser at a few hours’ notice due to ‘a bereavement in his inner family circle’.

Christian Thielemann steps in

Gergiev is due to conduct Simon Boccanegra in Salzburg in two days’ time.

 

UPDATE: Katharina Wagner’s announcement that Gergiev had been replaced by Thielemann was greeted with thunderous applause.

 

Comments

  • Gustavo says:

    So there you are.

    It is possible to conduct Tannhäuser without rehearsals.

    Wonder if CT will get bad press?

  • Gustavo says:

    The Netrebkos whizzing off to their Baku summer resort and Valery cancelling at very short notice (for whatever reason) – all this has a bitter aftertaste.

  • Caravaggio says:

    Another excellent decision

  • sam says:

    “Inner family circle”

    My pet dog of 13 years fits into that definition.

  • The View from America says:

    Seems like the Bayreuth audience really lucked out this time …

  • Gustavo says:

    Why didn’t they bring in Kober?

    Thielemann (the Musikdirektor) as a replacement is rediculous.

    They must have been pretty desperate.

    • LewesBird says:

      Since you asked, the person who died is Gergiev’s mother. Since you wondered, Thielemann was nearer than Kober on such short notice. Still think it’s “rediculous”?

      • Gustavo says:

        I wasn’t asking who died.

        I was wondering why a conductor with devine status in Bayreuth is being used as a replacement.

        Nevertheless, it can be seen as a great gesture.

        Anything CT touches turns to gold.

        Even Tranhäuser in Gayreuth.

        • John Rook says:

          Despite his well-earned status in BT, one could view it as CT taking his position seriously and ensuring a first-class replacement.

        • LewesBird says:

          Not to add that Thielemann is doing Lohengrin tonight. He was already in town.

          • Gustavo says:

            His densely packed schedule is astonishing.

            Hope is doesn’t get a burn-out.

            (Wotans Abschied und Feuerzauber playing in the background)

        • Karmadon says:

          “…and Valery cancelling at very short notice (for whatever reason)…” Rather not to comment, than comment in an disrespectful way and then trying to talk out of that. 🙁

  • ines says:

    is Netrebko a relative?

  • LewesBird says:

    Gergiev’s mother died this morning. Thielemann was simply nearer than Kober. Hope this sounds less “rediculous” now. Since you asked.

    But yes, there applause was thunderous when Katharina announced it, and even more thunderous at the end. No booing, including none for the production itself.

  • Bogda says:

    Apparently his mother died.

  • lohengrinloh says:

    CT is such a bore. I slept through last year while he conducted T&I. Same with Parsifal.

    Kober is much better.

    He is a good symphonic but not opera conductor.

    • Gustavo says:

      You are a true insider.

      I think our Anglo-Saxon friends who wish they could be proper Wagnerians simply can’t see through the ringmaster.

      He is a show-man, a smart aleck, and quite an arrogant narcissist.

      Ask Andris!

      Ask the Munich Philharmonic!

      Kober is quite the opposite.

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