News	News category

Another Wagner descendant seeks to control Bayreuth Festival

25.08.2008 21:02 Arts - Source: cbc.ca

Nike Wagner, daughter of another former Bayreuth festival director, has applied for the post with Belgian director Gerard Mortier.(Associated Press)Another of composer Richard Wagner's descendants has stepped into the fray in the race to take over at the Bayreuth Festival in Germany.

Wolfgang Wagner, 89, grandson of the German composer, plans to step down when this year's festival ends this week.

Wolfgang Wagner's two daughters, Katharina, 30, and Eva, 63, have made a joint application for his post, which involves running the annual festival devoted to the works of the German composer.

Now Nike Wagner, great granddaughter of Richard Wagner and cousin to the two sisters, has made an application in co-operation with Belgian director Gerard Mortier.

Mortier, who helped orchestrate the resurgence of the Salzburg Festival in neighbouring Austria, is to become general manager and artistic director of the New York City Opera in the fall of 2009.

Nike's father, Wieland, was co-director with Wolfgang Wagner until his death in 1967.

Though Wolfgang Wagner long refused to relinquish control of the festival, in recent years he seemed to be grooming 30-year-old Katharina, from his second marriage, for the post.(Associated Press)

The Bayreuth Festival board had attempted to get Wolfgang Wagner to step down last year but he argued his lifetime contract gave him control over the opera house where the festival is held.

He eventually announced in April he would retire when the festival ends Aug. 28.

In recent years Wagner seemed to be grooming 30-year-old Katharina, his daughter through his second marriage, for the post.

However, the festival's board backed 63-year-old Eva Wagner-Pasquier, his estranged daughter from his first marriage, for the job because of her experience as an arts and cultural administrator.

A decision is expected within weeks.

With files from the Associated Press

Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

Internal Links

Wolfgang Wagner opens last Bayreuth festival as chief Thousands flock to outdoor giant screen at Bayreuth Festival

More Music Headlines

Another Wagner descendant seeks to control Bayreuth FestivalAnother of composer Richard Wagner's descendants has stepped into the fray in the race to take over at the Bayreuth Festival in Germany.Songwriter to join American Idol judging panelContestants for TV powerhouse American Idol will have another judge to impress starting this fall: pop singer-songwriter and music producer Kara DioGuardi. McCain camp calls Madonna concert segment 'outrageous, unacceptable'After angering religious groups around the globe with past concert performances and music videos, Madonna has raised the ire of U.S. Senator John McCain with a video segment on her latest tour.Barenaked Ladies singer, 3 others survive plane crashBarenaked Ladies singer Ed Robertson and three others walked away from a plane crash Sunday afternoon in southeastern Ontario, police said Monday.Malaysia OK's Avril Lavigne concertMalaysian officials have changed their minds and will permit Canadian pop star Avril Lavigne to perform a concert in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.

More Arts Headlines

Hard Core Logo sequel films ready to rockA sequel to the cult classic Hard Core Logo will begin shooting early next year with a third instalment to follow shortly thereafter, says director Bruce McDonald. McCain camp calls Madonna concert segment 'outrageous, unacceptable'After angering religious groups around the globe with past concert performances and music videos, Madonna has raised the ire of U.S. Senator John McCain with a video segment on her latest tour.Gaudio set out to preserve Four Seasons legacy with Jersey BoysBob Gaudio, the songwriter behind Four Seasons hits such as Sherry and Big Girls Don't Cry, says he had a "gut instinct" that told him what songs would be a hit.Another Wagner descendant seeks to control Bayreuth FestivalAnother of composer Richard Wagner's descendants has stepped into the fray in the race to take over at the Bayreuth Festival in Germany.Barenaked Ladies singer, 3 others survive plane crashBarenaked Ladies singer Ed Robertson and three others walked away from a plane crash Sunday afternoon in southeastern Ontario, police said Monday.