Wagner's Bayreuth Festspielhaus (Festival Theatre)

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The idea of making a festival came to Richard Wagner in 1850 and while he thought of many cities and venues to do it, his plans failed because of many reasons, one of them being that, after he realised that there was no such a place with the very specific characteristics he wanted, he opted to build one and wanted to keep control of the project so he could make sure that what was being built felt under his conception of a proper amphitheatre-like building.

Local Guide @MarichaMS poses in front of Bayreuth's Festspielhaus. At the time of the photo (Dec. 2014) the front garden was filled with snow and parts of the building were covered with pannels due to a maintenance.
Local Guide @MarichaMS poses in front of Bayreuth's Festspielhaus. At the time of the photo (Dec. 2014) the front garden was filled with snow and parts of the building were covered with pannels due to a maintenance.960Ă—636 100 KB

When he visited Franconian Bayreuth he developed a special connection with the city and, after being given the land and the allowance to build a theatre that could fit his needs of accommodating huge orchestras, and audience, the foundation of what we know today as the “Bayreuth Festspielhaus” (Festival Theatre) was laid on May 1872.

Otto BrĂĽckwald was in charge of the architectonic planning and it took 4 years for the construction to be over, mostly due to a lack of funds, which Wagner ended up solving himself by taking a loan under the support of King Ludwig II.

This famous festival, which is always overbooked and in 2019 celebrated its 108th edition, is dedicated solely to the performance of pieces created by Richard Wagner.

Wagner’s Festspielhaus is a major touristic attraction in Bayreuth, bringing every year to the festival high profile music lovers, celebrities and extremely rich and famous individuals.

For those of us who don’t have the money nor the waiting time (which is estimated to be between 5-10 years) to get the tickets to go to the festival itself, we can still pay a visit to the facilities and fortunately we can enjoy some of the many performances, talks, seminars and events that take place during the festival days in the city, many free and without any booking needed.

If you like classical music or enjoy cultural activities it is great to be around when it’s festival time because during those days Bayreuth seems to have one main topic: to celebrate the work of this German composer.

Local Guide @MarichaMS swings under a sign of the "Wolfgang-Wagner Platz". An area dedicated to the grandson of Richard Wagner who served for many years as the director (Festspielleiter) of the Bayreuth Festival.
Local Guide @MarichaMS swings under a sign of the "Wolfgang-Wagner Platz". An area dedicated to the grandson of Richard Wagner who served for many years as the director (Festspielleiter) of the Bayreuth Festival.1035Ă—1338 198 KB

Is there any famous festival or theatre where you live? If so, which one? Have you ever been to it or are their prices skyrocket high!?

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I was just by there yesterday, Quit an impressive place.

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That’s so cool @RonA ,! Where you able to go in? In my two attempts it was not allowed, first because they were in Christmas holidays and then because it was during the festival days.

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