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News from the Committee

Review of "The Blue Book" by Rainer Fineske

Many Wagner and Bayreuth fans are already familiar with the term "Blue Book" - and here is a review by the RWVI President

A note from RWVI President Rainer Fineske

On 25 December 2020, the symphonic work by Richard Wagner known as the "Siegfried Idyll" celebrates its 150th anniversary

A message from RWVI President Rainer Fineske about Beethoven

This year the international music world commemorates the 250th birthday of the great and world-famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven

German Bundestag approves 5.2 million euros for the renaissance of the Wagner Theatre in Riga

Riga/Berlin: Today's adoption of the 2021 budget in the German Bundestag lays the foundation for saving the restoration of the building

The RWVI pays tribute to Verena Lafferentz-Wagner on the 100th anniversary of her birth

?Today in December 2020 we commemorate the 100th birthday of the youngest granddaughter of Richard and Cosima Wagner.

New Publication - facsimile edition of Parsifal score

Richard Wagner's score for "Parsifal", his "Weltabschiedswerk" has now been published by Musikverlag Bärenreiter as a high-quality facsimile

Richard Wagner Gesellschaft Riga takes over former German Theatre

On 20 October, President of Latvia Egils Levits took part in the key handover ceremony at the Riga Wagner House.

Letter from President Fineske regarding changes to the Symposium in Berlin, January 2020

As a result of the pandemic, we have had to make some changes to the Symposium "70 years of the New Bayreuth" scheduled for January 2020

"Wagner - an eternal German nuisance" by Moshe Zuckermann

A review by RWVI President Rainer Fineske

New book of the Ring - illustrated by Martin Stark

Büchergilde Editions have published a true masterpiece, with a four-part illustrated book on Richard Wagner's magnum opus - as described by President Rainer Fineske

Katharina Wagner speaks openly about her illness and her plans for the future

In a frank interview with Manuel Brug in Die Welt on 21 September, Katharina Wagner spoke freely about her recent illness

Bayreuth appoints its first woman conductor

The newly returned-to-work Bayreuth Director Katharina Wagner has named Oksana Lyniv as the conductor of the new Fliegender Holländer in 2021

Katharina Wagner returns - comeback on the Green Hill

The Süddeutsche Zeitung has announced that Katharina Wagner has returned to work at the Bayreuth Festival

Landesart TV are offering a video of Stefan Vinke's Festival in his garden

The television programme Landesart has published a video on the subject of the "Great" Wagner Festival in Hargesheim

Letter from President Fineske

regarding his recent visit to Bayreuth to attend a Masterclass and Wreath laying organised by the Scholarship Foundation

Open letter from the RWVI President re Riga

In support of the appeal from the Wagner Society of Riga, who are fully restoring their opera house with its strong links to Wagner

BAYREUTH GOES ONLINE!

It is with great pleasure that we bring you this exciting news - the Bayreuth Festival will offer a wealth of operas from its archives, including three of the greatest Rings in the Festival's history

Podcasts from the Wagner Museum in Bayreuth

Because the museum is closed and you cannot go there, the museum comes to you.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICHARD WAGNER

207 years young today

Greetings to Katharina Wagner on her birthday

Obituary - Norbert Balatsch

Rainer Fineske, President, RWVI has written a moving tribute to the late Norbert Balatsch, former chorus master at the Bayreuth Festival

Best Wishes to Katharina Wagner for a good recovery

RWVI President Rainer Fineske sends best wishes for a good recovery to Katharina Wagner, Director of the Bayreuth Festival

Update on the Ring Award Final in Graz

We have received an update in the form of a letter from Heinz Weyringer, director of the renowned Ring Award, evidencing great optimism and determination

WS Iceland cancels its May Symposium with great regret

The planned Keyword Wagner event in Reykjavik in May, which would have included a symposium and a performance of Die Walküre has regrettably been postponed

Significant birthdays

The President of the RWVI congratulates Eva Wagner-Pasquier, Anja Silja and Siegfried Jerusalem on their birthdays

The latest brochure giving details of the programme for the Wagner Congress in Bonn in September 2020 is now available to download

Some more digital links - Kaufmann, Valentin Schwarz and Ludovic Tezier

Featuring Jonas Kaufmann and Ludiovic Tezier appealing for aid to singers and an interview with Valentin Schwarz , director of this year's new Ring in Bayreuth

List of digital opera and concert offerings

In these dark times with our favourite opera houses closed, we need not deprive ourselves of the beauty of opera and classical music.

WS Berlin-Brandenburg - ceremonial handover

On 13 March 2020, the French Embassy in Berlin hosted the ceremonial presentation of a cheque for €4,000 from RWV Berlin-Brandenburg

A Shostakovich Symphony at the Festspielhaus

For the first time in its history, the Bayreuth Festival will perform a symphony by the Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich on 24 July 2020 in the Festspielhaus

The Wagner Forum Graz celebrated its 25th anniversary along with the 80th birthday of Heinz Weyringer

This lively and dignified event took place in the elegant settings of the Orangery in Graz Castle. A report by RWVI President Rainer Fineske

RING AWARD - three teams nominated for the Finals

The Jury considered nine radically different directing and design concepts and nominated three teams for the finals in June

The Richard-Wagner-Verband Leipzig e.V. mourns the loss of its founder and honorary chairman Prof. Dr. sc. Werner Wolf

who died at home in Leipzig on 23 December 2019 at the age of 94

Obituary - Happy Kupfer

RWVI President Rainer Fineske has written a tribute to the recently deceased great Wagnerian stage director Harry Kupfer. We include a link to a further tribute by Monika Beer.

Renowned Wagnerian director Harry Kupfer has died

The director of many iconic Wagner productions, including the 1988 Bayreuth Festival Ring, died on 31 December at the age of 84

Greeting from Katharina Wagner

The newly elected President of the RWVI and the new Board have received a note of congratulation from the Bayreuth Festival Director, Katharina Wagner

Obituary for Peter Emmerich

A note in commemoration from our President, Rainer Fineske

Latest volume in the Wagner Series - Wieland Wagner - is now available

"Nothing is Eternal" Wieland Wagner: Aesthetics, Contemporary History, Influence - discussion edited by Stephan Mösch & Sven Friedrich

The long-standing Chair and Honorary Chair of the WS Bielefeld has passed away

Günther W. Wilberg researched the history of the Wagner Associations and the Scholarship Foundation

Katharina Wagner, Director of the Bayreuth Festival, extends her contract

It has been announced that Katharina Wagner has renewed her contract as general manager of the Bayreuth Festival for five years.

Josef Lienhart honoured by the City of Freibug

RWVI President Horst Eggers gave a speech on the occasion of Josef Liehart being awarded the Golden Seal of the City of Freiburg

Dr Stefan Specht, MD of the Stipendienstiftung is honored by the WS Mannheim

"This is how we avoid elitisem"

Neo Rauch honoured with the Taurus European Culture Prize

Neo Rauch, designer of the current Bayreuth production of Lohengrin was awarded the Taurus Prize in Vienna on 20 October

The RWVI mourns the death of Kerstin Jonasson, Chair of the Svenska Wagner-Sällskapet,, Stockholm

President of the RWVI, Horst Eggers has sent a letter of condolence to our members

The Ring in Minden - a great achievement

The culmination of four years work, the complete Ring Cycle in Minden is being performed in the current month

Jane Mathews, former President of the Wagner Society of New South Wales, has died

We received a statement from the Society in tribute to Jane

The Chairman of the WS Brno held a successful vernissage in Bayreuth.

Vladimir Kiseljov paints and writes about "Mysteries - inscribed in faces".

Bayreuth Festival Dates for 2020

The Bayreuth Festival have just published the dates of performances for 2020

Performers for Stipendiatenkonzert in Bayreuth announced

The scholars chosen to perform in this year's Stipendiatenkonzert on 18 August 2019 in Bayreuth have been announced

Welcome letter to the Bayreuth Festival 2019 from RWVI President Eggers

RWVI President Horst Eggers' has issued a welcome letter to the Bayreuth Festival to all RWVI members

Bayreuth Festival Scholarship Week announced for 2020

The Stipendienstiftung has now announced the dates for its annual Scholarship programme at the Bayreuth Festival 2020

Iceland - Keyword Wagner 2020 in Reykjavik

The WS Iceland is delighted to announce that it will host a symposium on Wagner "The Nordic Sources and their influence on Wagner" in May 2020

RWVI Annual Reports 2018

The collected annual reports from RWVI member societies are now available to read online or to download

Wagner's last surviving grandchild has died

It is with great sorrow that we announce the death at the age of 98 of Verena Wagner Lafferentz, youngest daughter of Siegfried and Winifred Wagner

Keynote Wagner 2019 - once again, a great success

This year's topic "Wagner and Religion" drew over 90 participants and several expert presenters to a peaceful retreat house in the outskirts of Munich

Stichwort Wagner - report on this year's Symposium

Around 90 Wagnerians from Austria, Germany, Iceland, UK and Japan joined the recent symposium on Wagner and Religion in the Munich area

Ring Award 2020 - dates and registration now available

The prestigious, RWVI-sponsored Ring Award for young directors and stage designers will once again take place in Graz, Austria in 2020

Walk of Wagner - an overview of Wagner's operas

This illustrated magazine, produced by the City of Bayreuth in German, gives an overview of each of Wagner's operas

Bayreuth internet ticket sale announced

The Festival has announced that the internet sale will be held at 14:00 Central European time on 7 April 2019.

The latest RWVI Newsletter is now available online

The RWVI Newsletter team is happy to announce the publication of NL9

Theo Adam, great Wagnerian bass-baritone has died

92 year-old renowned Wagnerian bass baritone Theo Adam, who performed many times at the Bayreuth Festival, died peacefully on 11 January in Dresden

Report on the Giornate Wagneriane 2018 in Venice

A group from Karlsruhe attended the 2018 Giornate Wagneriane in Venice. As ever, Alessandra Althoff-Pugliese organised an excellent programme

Eva Wagner-Pasquier is awarded the Wagner Prize at the International Singing Competition in Ravello

As part of the annual International Singing Competition for lyric voices in Ravello, Italy, the Jury awards a Wagner prize. This year's recipient was Eva Wagner-Pasquier

The WS Düsseldorf mourns the death of Lotte Zahn

The WS Düsseldorf mourns the loss of its honorary Chair, Lotte Zahn, who died on 3 December 2018 in the 55th year of her membership of the WS Düsseldorf.

Three Generations One Goal, Wagner Symposium in Berlin

A symposium held at the Deutsche Oper Berlin to mark Cosima Wagner's 180th, Siegfried Wagner's 150th and Friedelind Wagner's 100th birthdays.

An excellent Singing Competition in Karlsruhe

This year's 9th International Singing Competition for Wagner Voices took place once again in Karlsruhe and was, as ever, a wonderful event

The Bayreuth Festival - new website

The Bayreuth Festival has radically updated its website to a much more informative and user-friendly format.

The "Wonder Ring" in Minden concludes with a fine Götterdämmerung

For this great event, we must thank above all the tireless President of the Wagner Society of Minden, Dr Jutta Winckler.

Henri Perrier, founder of the WS Lyon has died

Henri Perrier was, with his wife, Chantal, the founder of the Richard Wagner Society - Lyon in January 1982.

Reception at the Bayreuth Festival

Some photos of the reception given by the Festival Management on 7 August 2018 for RWVI Board members and Presidents of Wagner Societies

RWVI Kongress Bonn 2020 - Flyer now available

The 250th birthday of Bonn's greatest son - Ludwig van Beethoven - will be celebrated in 2020. The RWVI Congress will take place there in September 2020.

Greeting from President Eggers to the 2018 Bayreuth Festival

Text of the welcome greeting of RWVI President Horst Eggers to those attending the Bayreuth Festival 2018

Roberto Alagna withdraws from the Bayreuth Festival 2018

Roberto Alagna will not be singing the role of Lohengrin in the Bayreuth Festival's new production of the same name.

RWVI Congress 2018 - opening speech by President Horst Eggers

The full text of President Horst Eggers' opening speech to the Innsbruck Congress can be found here. translated into English,

Bayreuth digitizes Richard Wagner National Archive

So far, it has been difficult to get a hold of documents of the renowned composer. But that will be much easier after the Wagner National Archive has been digitised.

Stemme wins Brigit Nilsson prize

Swedish opera singer Nina Stemme has won the one-million dollar prize awarded in memory of the Nordic nation's legendary soprano Birgit Nilsson.

Lohengrin returns to Brabant? A superb weekend in Brussels

Almost 200 avid Wagner fans gathered in Brussels over the weekiend of 21 and 22 April to celebrate the new production of Lohengrin by Olivier Py.

Dirk Jenders, President of the WS Frankfurt receives the Golden W

At the recent Board meeting in Frankfurt, RWVI President Horst Eggers honoured Dirk Jenders, President of the WS Frankfurt, with the Golden W award to commemorate 10 years of service.

The RWVI mourns the death of Paul Götz

It is with deep sorrow and profound gratitude that we bid farewell to our valued former member of the Board of the RWVI

Online sale of Bayreuth Festival tickets begins 18 March

The Bayreuth Festival is offering the opportunity to buy Festival tickets in 2018 without pre-ordering or getting on a waiting list. Online sales open on 18 March 2018 at 14:00 (CET)

A wonderful weekend in Toulouse

Members of several Wagner societies enjoyed a wonderful weekend in Toulouse, with exceptional hospitality from the Cercle Wagner, celebrating their 25th anniversary

Heinz Weyringer to step down as Chair of the Graz Wagner Society

After 23 years at the helm of the Wagner Society in Graz, Austria, RWVI Board member Heinz Weyringer has announced that he is stepping down

"Wieland Wagner Days" in Berlin

A brief report on the highly successful and enjoyable Wieland Wagner Days in Berlin - 9-11 November 2017

Testament from the RWVI to the recently deceased Herr Gerald Bunge

We are sad to announce that the long-standing President of the Wagner Society of Wuppertal, Herr Gerald Bunge died suddenly and unexpectedly on 5 October 2017 at the age of 73.

Passing of Wagner Gesellschaft Japan President, Professor Yukio Miyake

The RWVI announces, with great sadness, the recent passing of the long-standing President of the Richard-Wagner-Gesellschaft Japan, Professor Yukio Miyake.

Ingrid Budde, former President of the International Commission of the RWVI until 2008, died on 30 July 2017.

A joyful week in Bayreuth - Scholars' week 2017

The 2017 Scholars’ week (Stipendiatenwoche) at the Bayreuth Festival proved the usual great success.

Letter of condolence from RWVI President Eggers on the death of Dietmar Schaffer

Dietmar Schaffer, former President of the Wagner Society of Coburg, died on 10 August 2017.

A welcome to the Bayreuth Festival from RWVI President Eggers

RWVI President Eggers has sent the letter below to all Wagner Societies, welcoming them to the 2017 Bayreuth Festival

Markus Hinterhäuser wins the 2017 Mortier Award

As part of the finals of the Ring Award 2017, the award of the Gerald Mortier Prize will take place on 24 June at 10:00 in the Schauspielhaus, Graz. The laudatory speech will be given by Peter Sellars.

Ring Award 2017 - Winners announced

The Ring Award are delighted to announce the winners of the various prizes for 2017 for this prestigious award for young opera directors and stage designers.

Annual General Meeting of the Richard Wagner Verband International

Some photos of the event.

Eröffnung Richard-Wagner-Kongress 2017

Opening of the Richard Wagner Congress 2017

At the invitation of the Wagner Society of Budapest, the 2017 International Richard Wagner Congress took place in the Hungarian capital.

Congress 2017 - Parsifal at Müpa, Budapest

A glorious semi-staged Parsifal at Müpa Budapest conducted by Adam Fischer, as part of the Richard Wagner Congress 2017

Delegates' Meeting at the Wagner Congress 2017

Resolution taken to preserve the Richard Wagner Museum n the Palazzo Vendramin in Venice, including the room in which Richard Wagner died.

Epitaph for Margot Müller

The Richard Wagner Association International mourns Margot Müller, who successfully acted as Chair of one of our member societies for 35 years.

President Eggers meets with the WS New York

President Eggers recently met with NYWS President Nathalie Wagner and members of her Board, during the New York meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Society of Friends of Bayreuth.

In mourning for Endrik Wottrich

The Board of the RWVI was saddened to learn of the sudden death of Wagner Tenor Endrik Wottrich on 26 April this year.

Iconic production of Parsifal revived in Mannheim

Hans Schüler's production of Parsifal celebrated its 60th anniversary in Mannheim, in the presence of Horst Eggers, RWVI President and numerous other Wagner lovers.

Wagner Bass Kurt Moll dies at 78

The Bavarian State Opera has announced the death of the German singer Kurt Moll. The dark-voiced bass graced many of the world's leading opera houses until his retirement in 2006.

RING AWARD 2017 – Finalists now confirmed

On 13th and 14th January, the semi-finals of the International Competition for Stage and Stage Design, the Ring Award 2017, took place in the studios of the Graz Opera and Next Liberty.

Unexpected death of Gerd Grochowski, well-known Wagnerian bass-baritone

Gerd Grochowski, known to Wagner fans the world over as a fine interpreter of the great bass-baritone roles, died unexpectedly on Monday 16 January. We will miss him greatly.

Some interesting things to do in Budapest during Congress

We have done some research to give you further information on additional interesting places to visit and enjoy while in Budapest.

Wagner Congress 2017, Budapest - The Venues

The history and background to some of the key venues that will feature during the 2017 Annual Wagner Congress in Budapest.

RWVI VP Alessandra Althoff-Pugliese receives Wagner Prize

Congratulations to Alessandra Althoff-Pugliese, Vice-President of the RWVI, who was honoured with the annual Richard Wagner Prize awarded by the city of Ravello

Some further photos from Singapore

Some further photos from Singapore to share with you

The Flying Dutchman in Singapore - a great success

The first Wagner opera to be performed in Singapore premiered last week and was a great success. Members of the RWVI Board and other Wagner Societies were there to see it.

A short tribute to the great Wagnerian Heldentenor Johan Botha

The RWVI notes with great regret the recent death of the renowned Wagnerian Heldentenor, Johan Botha.

A glorious and fun-filled week for the Bayreuth young scholars

For many, the days when the young artists from all over the world gather in Bayreuth for the Stipendientage are some of the most memorable and exciting of the whole Festival.

Sky Arts televises Wagner from Bayreuth and features the RWVI

2016 was a great year for multi-media coverage of the Bayreuth Festival – and also for the RWVI. Sky Arts showed all four parts of the Ring of the Nibelungs in several European countries.

Opening of the 2016 Festival Season in Bayreuth

Welcome to today’s premiere of the Bayreuth Festival from Horst Eggers, President of the International Association of Wagner Societies (RWVI)

Book Launch in Villa Wahnfried “Vollendet das ewige Werk”!

Although publication of “The History of the Bayreuth Festival” took many years to achieve, this is a work not written for "eternity", rather for readers in the here and now.

Richard Wagner Congress in Strasbourg 2016

From 5 - 87 May 2016 over 350 participants from all over the world took part in the Richard Wagner Congress in Strasbourg.

The 8th International Singing Competition for Wagner Voices

The singing competition was held over the first weekend of October in glorious Autumn sunshine in the city of Karlsruhe, coinciding with the celebrations of 25 years of German re-unification.

Richard Wagner in der zeitgenössischen Fotografie by Gunther Braam

Gunther Braam has just published (supported also by RW Munich) the book: "Richard Wagner in der zeitgenössischen Fotografie (Richard Wagner in contemporary photography)".

International Richard Wagner Congress Dessau-Roßlau 2015

Opening ceremony, St. Marienkirche zu Dessau, 14 May 2015