Bayreuth Festival Schedules Holocaust Memorial Event with Michel Friedman

The Bayreuth Festival’s 150th‑anniversary program now includes the memorial event “Verstummte Stimmen,” scheduled for Sunday, 26 July at 10:30 am in the Festspielhaus. The free‑entry ceremony will feature a speech by journalist Michel Friedman titled “Über Bayreuth, über Deutschland. Versuch einer Gesellschaftsanalyse,” musical excerpts by Gustav Mahler, and a performance of Richard Wagner’s “Siegfried‑Idyll” conducted by Semyon Bychkov.

The festival’s director, Katharina Wagner, apologized after an earlier cancellation that had been justified on security grounds and caused nationwide criticism. She said the event reflects the institution’s responsibility to confront Wagner’s antisemitic writings and historic ties to National Socialism. Friedman called the programme a “political signal” against antisemitism, noting that donations will support the Keshet Eilon Music Center for young Israeli musicians.