Posted March 20, 2013

While you're in Thüringen, here are some great Wagnerian things to do! Concerts at the Wartburg Castle, Exhibitions, a performance of Das Liebesverbot - there is plenty to do in this charming region of Germany.

http://wagner.thueringen-tourismus.de/richard-wagner/473.html

Posted March 18, 2013

Just a reminder, if anyone is interested in an excellent, educational opera weekend, Simon Williams will be giving an Opera at Oakhurst seminar on Bel Canto Opera April 11-15 at Evergreen Conference Center Oakhurst (ECCO). Oakhurst is located in California's beautiful central valley, just 15 miles from Yosemite National Park. Members who have attended the Opera at Oakhurst seminars speak very highly about the programs.  Here's a link for more information:

Location

March 15, 2013

Interesting blog entry associated with the current issue of the New Yorker. In his New Yorker Blog, Film critic and writer Richard Brody gives his viewpoint on the recent Metropolitan Opera Parsifal production. Brody wonders, what if Bill Clinton had seen Parsifal early in his career. Kierkegaard and Nietzsche also figure in this intriquing article. Here's a link:

March 15, 2013

In Norman Lebrecht's Blog, it is noted that the Bayreuth Tourist Bureau as begun placing bronze statues of Richard Wagner in town. The statues are designed to sit on the many benches around town.

more here:

http://www.artsjournal.com/slippeddisc/2013/03/wagner-gets-bronzed-in-bayreuth.html

Posted March 11, 2013

We have the details on our April 6th 2013 Program with UC Berkeley Professor Mary Ann Smart.

Location

Posted March 10, 2013

The Wagner Society of Washington D.C. has a very fine series of programs planned for the Richard Wagner Bicentennial. They forwarded a brochure which is in PDF and can be accessed at the bottom of this page.

In the September 2013, the Washington National Opera will perform Tristan und Isolde starring Deborah Voigt, Ian Storey, Elizabeth Bishop, James Rutherford and Wilhelm Schwinghammer; conducted by Philippe Auguin.

http://www.kennedy-center.org/events/?event=ONOSD

Posted March 10, 2013

For our Wagnerian Jet-Setters, two Items of interest on the other coast:

On March 18, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. The Wagner Society of New York is hosting Boston Lyric Opera in a presentation of the 1841 version of Der Fliegende Holländer.  BLO Music Director & Conductor David Angus will lead the ensemble. The event takes place at the Liederkranz Foundation 6 East 87th Street, New York, New York. The cost is $10 for individuals who are not members of the WSNY.

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Posted March 8, 2013

The complete brochure for the Liszt/Wagner/Verdi Festival is now available. The Festival runs from May 30th to June 1st.  The brochure can be located through the link below. WSNC will be printing up official programs and mailing, but  you may wish to mark your calendar and make hotel reservations. The array of recitals and lectures is formidable.

http://americanlisztsociety.net/2013FestivalBrochure.pdf

Location

Posted March 7, 2013

Do you ever wonder how a heldentenor has the stamina to survive a grueling role such as Parsifal?

Super tenor Jonas Kaufmann shared his secrets with Zinta Lundborg of Bloomberg News. Secrets include Scottish shortbread, water with salt and Gummi Bears.  Here is a link to the article in full.

Posted February 18, 2013

Wagner's Early Opera opens in the Meister's home town.

Oper Leipzig is mounting 5 performances of Wagner's rare opera Die Feen and an additional presentation will be given in Bayreuth this summer. The first performance was held on 16-February with additional performances in April.

http://www.wagnerjahr2013.de/en/die_feen.html

and a review in German (remember translate.google.com will get you a rough translation)