The Bayreuth Festival opened its 150th anniversary season with the premiere of Richard Wagner's 'Rienzi,' an opera never before staged at the festival. The work, a favorite of Adolf Hitler, ignited heated debate even before opening night due to its historical associations.

Director Alexandra Szemerédy told DW the piece is 'highly contaminated' by its Nazi ties. Despite initial reservations, the production received enthusiastic applause, with conductor Nathalie Stutzmann and the Hungarian directing duo earning standing ovations.

The modern-dress production relocates the story of 14th-century Roman tribune Rienzi to the present day, featuring concrete apartment blocks, smartphones, and omnipresent screens. The protagonist, who initially seeks to liberate the people, gradually becomes a dictator. The directors aimed to explore how populism can lead to authoritarian rule.

Musicologist Anno Mungen criticized the decision to stage 'Rienzi' during the anniversary, calling it 'historically tone-deaf.' He noted that Wagner himself excluded the opera from the festival's repertoire. Mungen also highlighted the festival's wartime history, including the deportation of Jewish musicians to Auschwitz.

Meanwhile, the festival's new AI-generated 'Ring of the Nibelung' cycle, curated by Marcus Lobbes, uses artificial intelligence to create holographic environments for the singers. While visually striking, the technology forces singers to remain nearly motionless, drawing mixed reactions. One audience member joked about future improvements.

Musically, the production boasts an outstanding cast including Klaus Florian Vogt, Jochen Schmeckenbecher, and Evelin Novak, with Christian Thielemann conducting. As one attendee noted, 'If the AI becomes too much for me, I'll simply close my eyes and enjoy the music.'

Source: www.dw.com