Actually, things went quite well for the Bayreuth Festival. Corona whirled things up, but solutions were quickly found. But now, shortly before the start of the festival, allegations of sexism became known. The North Bavarian Courier reports of physical assaults on women, insults and sexist slogans.
The reporting “very moved and actually surprised the festival management, since no information is known about possible attacks within the company,” said festival spokesman Hubertus Herrmann of the dpa news agency on Friday. “We will investigate the allegations immediately and ask those affected to contact the management directly.” He emphasized: “No insults or physical assaults will be tolerated.”
Festival director Katharina Wagner was also affected
The courier reports that festival director Katharina Wagner herself was affected by an attack. “That’s true,” she told the newspaper. An unnamed “rather well-known contributor” is said to have grabbed her chest. “Horrified” she is about what colleagues in the Festspielhaus are said to have experienced. She asks those affected to get in touch with her. You will then “react mercilessly”.
Other women are also quoted with their negative experiences: “Touchy touchy,” said one of the newspaper. “For some of us, this is everyday life.”
Christian Thielemann criticized for his tone of voice
According to the newspaper, the former music director of the festival, Christian Thielemann, was also criticized for his tone. He is said to have yelled at and insulted musicians – an accusation that the star conductor vehemently rejects: “There’s nothing to it,” he told the dpa and spoke of a “misunderstanding”.
All employees in the Festspielhaus would still have to wear masks to protect themselves from corona infection. “It happens that you don’t understand things that other people have said. I would be careful if I overhear something.”
Allegedly misogynist statements
The courier also reports misogynist statements and an email about the fact that there are two bassists in the orchestra. “One is enough,” it is said to have said. “There is no mail at all,” said Thielemann to the dpa. The atmosphere at the festival is excellent, emphasized the conductor, who is to conduct “Lohengrin” this year. He spoke of “very harmonious, dreamlike work” and was concerned that it may now be “forgotten” by the reports on the allegations.
Start of the festival on Monday with “Tristan and Isolde”
The festival starts this Monday with a new production of “Tristan and Isolde” and it could be an opera spectacle of superlatives because a new “Ring des Nibelungen” is also on the schedule. After two years of the Corona state of emergency, the festival, which lasts until September 1, is to take place again with (almost) a full house for the first time. 1,771 places are available – around 200 fewer than usual due to renovation work.
With material from the dpa