BAYREUTH FESTIVAL

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 156, 22 September 1927, Page 16

BAYREUTH FESTIVAL

THE FIRST CYCLE WAGNERIAN ASSOCIATIONS “Bayreuth remains a paradise for infatuated JVagneriansstated an English critic, in a recent letter I written at the conclusion of the first cycle of the Bayreuth Festival. “TT in thrilling,” he states, “finding the family of the almost legendary musical hero carrying on his work, and celebrities are thick as September blackberries in these pleasant old streets.

“Etiquette prescribes a morning call at Wagner’s villa, Walinfried, where Siegfried Wagner’s English wife, Frau Winifred, does the honours, showing countless mementoes which make the big ugly house like a museum. "Out of sight on the top floor lives Liszt’s daughter, Cosiraa Wagner, the widow, now oblivious of the present and living wholly in the past. “Siegfried is a jolly, humorous fellow', no eagle, no great conductor or musician, but capable in administrating the great festival. Last night the whole packed audience refused to leave the theatre, stamping and shouting till Siegfried came forward tc acknowledge respc § ibility lor the fine and nobly dignifitd “Ring” production. WAGNER ENTHUSIASTS

“Other children of Coslma are on the scene. The eldest is now a grandmother. Wagner’s daughter was to be seen in deep mourning for her husband, Houston Chamberlain. Siegfried has got four bonny children. Two of Hans Richter’s daughters live here in a jolly 1750 house, likewise almost a museum.

“There are many English and more American festival-goers. Some ol! them have not missed a Bayreuth festival for 3Q 0£ morfe ye&rs s ”