Jay Scheib’s 2024 Bayreuth Festival production of Wagner’s Parsifal boldly merges tradition with augmented reality, pushing opera’s boundaries. Viewers wearing AR headsets are immersed in a fantastical world where virtual elements intertwine with live performance, transforming Wagner’s work into a multi-layered experience. While occasionally overwhelming, moments of poetic brilliance emerge. With an outstanding cast led by Andreas Schager and Ekaterina Gubanova, supported by Pablo Heras-Casado’s nuanced conducting, this Parsifal raises pivotal questions about opera’s future and technology’s role in classical performances, demonstrating the art form’s power to adapt and captivate in the digital age.
Category: Bayreuther Festspiele
Bayreuth Festival: Family Feuds and Child Exploitation in Wagner’s Epic
Standout musical performances shine through controversial production Performance on August 20, 2024 By Oxana Arkaeva Production fotos by @Enrico Nawrath Read in Spanish The Bayreuth Festival’s productions of Wagner’s Das Rheingold have evolved significantly over time. Initially adhering to Wagner’s original vision under his family’s guidance, the festival saw a dramatic shift with Wieland Wagner’s “New Bayreuth”…