Bayreuth Festival Opens with “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” Amidst Critical Debate
the Bayreuth Festival has commenced its 2025 season with a production of Richard Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg,” directed by Matthias Davids. Early reviews from publications such as Night critic and the New music newspaper are currently available,offering initial perspectives on the staging.
Simultaneously occurring,the Salzburg Festival experienced a disruption during its opening ceremony. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators interrupted the speech by festival director Andreas Babler. Reports from Die Zeit, citing news agencies, indicate that six individuals were initially detained but later released. Der Standard confirmed the reports of arrests and subsequent release. Separately, the taz newspaper featured Erich Sidler, who is concluding his ten-year tenure at the German Theater Göttingen. The article highlights Sidler’s admiration for Lucinda Childs, describing her as “an icon of postmodern dance.”
Discussions are also underway regarding other significant productions. The Salzburg Festival is presenting Karl Kraus’s “The Last Days of Humanity,” directed by Dušan David Pařízek, in collaboration with the Vienna Burgtheater. Reviews for this production have appeared in Die Zeit, Süddeutsche Zeitung, Night critic, and Der Standard. Additionally, Dmitri Tcherniakov’s staging of Georg Friedrich Handel‘s opera “Giulio cesare in Egitto” is being showcased at the Salzburg Festival, with reviews published in Frankfurter Rundschau and Süddeutsche Zeitung.
