Bayreuth sells out
OperaFor the first time this decade, the Bayreuth Festival has sold 100 percent of its tickets.
Festival spokesman Hubertus Herrmann told the German Press Agency that there had been a few seats left for Parsifal up to last week but these, too, have now gone.
The post-Covid 2023 struggled with large gaps seen at the so-called ‘Netflix Ring’. The final Ring uptake was 92 percent, Herrmann said.
I’m fortunate enough to have tickets to the first Ring cycle, and I can report that there isn’t room in the house for a field mouse. I can also report that Michael Spyres role and house debut as Siegmund proved a triumph, a performance for the ages, if perhaps under-rehearsed — rumours are that he arrived very late into the rehearsal process. But it is clear that his combination of bel canto line, tenorial lyricism and baritonal heft make his the perfect Siegmund. Until now, Kaufmann’s iteration at the Met set my expectations for the role, but Spyres surpassed them with his sweetness of sound, range of dynamics and color, and clarity of text. If only he had settled more into the production, but I’m not complaining. Nor did the crowd, with its thunderous, feet-stomping ovation for both Spyres and Vida Miknevičiūtė as Sieglinde. John Daszak’s Loge and Olafur Sigurdarson’s Alberich enjoyed similar appreciation in Das Rheingold the previous evening. Tomasz Konieczny’s Wotan ruled imperiously in both. 2 down, 2 to go.
rumours are that he arrived very late into the rehearsal process.
No. He arrived on time but didn’t know his role. This is why the dress rehearsal was closed.
Incorrect. He arrived at the Sitzprobe, without the role fully learned, but successfully crammed the thing
Bayreuth always used to be sold out. In fact, you had no chance of a ticket unless you had previously applied about 10 years in a row. Maybe I’ll get to go one day after all.
This has changed. Back in the old times, ticket prices were pretty moderate, but you had to wait for ten years. Now they cost a fortune, but you can just buy them.
Any idea about artist fees at Bayreuth these days? Wolfgang Wagner used to argue that if they raised the ticket prices they’d also have to raise the artist fees, and throw their finances out of balance. Back in Wolfgang’s days artist fees were surprisingly modest; Bayreuth’s prestige was enough to draw the cream of the crop.
on our way!
I’m here for the Ring Cycle now. It’s fabulous. The Germans shouldn’t change a thing. Leave the institution alone.
Now that anyone who wants to attend, can… it will seem less special, less a visit to Valhalla.
Bayreuth selling out in this decade isn’t news, as the decade started off with Covid restrictions, and many who would have previously bought tickets well in advance would have been advised against attending due to frail health or would have avoided booking due to worries that flights or performances might be cancelled or borders closed – due to another surge in cases – and deposits lost as a result. Things have just finally gone back to how they used to be.