Wagner music festival opens in Bayreuth without composer’s longserving grandson

Wagner music festival opens in Bayreuth

BERLIN — The yearly festival celebrating the music of Richard Wagner has opened in Bayreuth, the city where the celebrated German composer made his home in his later years.

The 99th annual event opened Sunday with a staging of “Lohengrin” by director Hans Neuenfels. Many prominent politicians and celebrities attended, including Chancellor Angela Merkel

It’s the first time the festival in the southern state of Bavaria has been held since the death of its longtime patriarch, the composer’s grandson Wolfgang Wagner.

Wagner led the festival for 57 years before stepping down in 2008. He died in March at age 90.

The festival is now led by his daughters Eva Wagner-Pasquier and Katharina Wagner.

The event runs through August 28.

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On the Web:

bayreuther-festspiele.de