Our Mission & History

The International Association of Wagner Societies (RWVI) unites regional Wagner Societies around the world. The RWVI aims to create interest in and deepen the understanding of Richard Wagner's works, to provide support for the next generation of artists, to support the Richard Wagner Scholarship Foundation, which was founded at the behest of Richard Wagner, to ensure the continuing success of the Bayreuth Festival and to promote international co-operation.

The RWVI supports the following events:

1865

German Richard Wagner Society
founded by Emil Heckel, Mannheim

1882

Richard Wagner Scholarship Foundation
founded by Friedrich von Schoen, Bayreuth

1909

German Women’s Richard Wagner Society
under the high protection of Her Imperial and Royal Highness Cecilie, Crown Princess of the German Empire and Prussia

1945

Richard Wagner Association
German federal association

1991

International Association of the Wagner Societies
consisting of the German Federal Association and non-German member associations from around the world

Since 1994

International Singing Competition for Wagner Voices

Since 1995

Giornate Wagneriane a Venezia (Wagner Days in Venice)
Centro Europeo di Studi e di Recerche Richard Wagner in Palazzo Vendramin-Calergi Venezia

Since 1997

International Competition for Stage Direction and
Stage Design "Ring Award" Graz/Austria

Since 2004

"Cue Wagner"

2009

International Association of Wagner Societies
emerged from the merger of the German Federal Association and the former International Association

Since 2010

Founding of the first university association: Cambridge University Wagner Society
Founding of Richard Wagner interdisciplinary workgroups in universities

Since 2011

International Concerts of Scholarship Holders in Bayreuth