Bayreuth

One of the most exciting experiences for any Wagnerian is a trip to the Summer Wagner Festival in Bayreuth.

Tickets:

"The best way to get tickets to Bayreuth is to become active in your local Wagner Society." Frederic Spotts: Bayreuth - a History of the Wagner Festival

Everyone says that it is impossible to get Bayreuth tickets or that you have to wait decades. NOT TRUE! The Richard Wagner Society of the Upper Midwest is recognized by the Bayreuth Festival, and usually receives blocks of tickets to sell to our members. In recent years, groups of up to10 members have been able to attend the Festival together. Tickets are offered to members based on a system of rotation designed to allow each member an equal opportunity to make the Bayreuth “pilgrimage.”

2011 Productions
An official announcement of dates has not been made, however it is expected that Sebastian Baumgarten will produce a new Tannhäuser in 2011. Returning production will most likely be Neuenfels Lohengrin and Parsifal. 2011 is expected to be the last year for the current Ring.

Rumor mongoers claim that in 2012 Christian Thielemann will conduct a new production of Der Fliegender Holländer with Adrienne Pieczonka as Senta. At this time, no one has fessed up to doing the staging. There will be no new Ring until 2013. Yep, 2013.

2011 Dates

As in past years, we will be ordering tickets to the third cycle of the 2011 Festspiel. The dates are usually in the last week of August. Again, the number of tickets requested will reflect the interest expressed by our members before we order. Therefore, to meet the anticipated Bayreuth deadline of 15 October, members wishing to attend Bayreuth in 2011 must submit requests by the 24th of September 2010. Exact costs will not be known until we receive our order form in early September, but based on past years we anticipate that the price of a ticket to the Ring ticket (all 4 dramas) would range from $800 - $1000, and $600 to $750 for a set of three tickets to the three non-Ring dramas. Tickets to individual operas are not available. The exact price will depend on the specific tickets allocated (if any) and the exchange rate. This year, members may request a Ring ticket, a set of non-Ring tickets, or both. Only one request per member is permitted.

Exact Dates and productions will be posted here as soon as we receive notification from Bayreuth.

Application Deadline: 24 September 2010

Applications must be in writing and received by the deadline. Applications WILL NOT be accepted by phone, by email or without a deposit.