After my runner-up position of the Wagner Prize at the IVC ‘s Hertogenbosch 2022 my interest and intrigue of Wagners music had been piqued to a new level. So you can imagine my delight and happiness when I was selected to be one of the Stipendiaten of the Dutch Wagner Society. It meant that I’d be able to travel to Bayreuth, the location of the Bayreuther Festspiele and the place Wagner chose to build his theatre. The sheer abundance of tradition, love of opera and total immersion in the world of Wagner is staggering to imagine. And now I’m here! Five days, three shows, fourteen hours of performance and a lovely group of young musicians from all over the world to enjoy it! I’m writing this article the day after the first performance (der Fliegende Holländer, how fitting ;) ) and tonight will be Parsifal, the only opera specifically written for this theatre. The aniticipation is BIG, and I love it! It’s 30+ degrees, the vacation vibes are in full swing and I’m ready immerse myself into the world of Parsifal, Kundry, Klingsor, Gurnemanz and all the others. And tomorrow as a nice dessert I get to see Tannhäuser, a totally different story…
