European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - October 29, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                It Rowe sati Ruth a View of the Neues Schloss. The gardens behind the Palace offer acres of lawns pools and pathways punctuated with towering Trees. The City that Wagner pvt on the Hap annual opera festival draws thousands to bavarian Tow by Norm Zeigler travel outdoor writer perhaps no other German City is More closely linked with the name of one Man than Bayreuth. This baroque Eastern bavarian town which dates its origins Back nearly a thousand years is renowned worldwide mainly because 19th-Century composer Richard Wagner made it his Home. The connection is highlighted by the City s annual Wagner festival. This six week opera extravaganza started by the composer in 1871, today attracts nearly 60,000 guests. Despite the misappropriation of his music by the nazis Wagner and his electrifying compositions continue to fascinate classical music fans. According to Thomas Kretzer marketing head at the City tourist office the demand for festival tickets is so great that there is a six to seven year waiting list for individuals. While Wagner and his musical legacy were decisive in shaping Bayreuth s International image two earlier residents set their indelible stamp on its Urban landscape. Margrave Friedrich and his wife Wilhelmine transformed the predominantly medieval face of the City with massive building projects in the mid-18th Century. Wilhelmine Multi talented sister of prussian King Frederick the great was the driving Force behind the projects which today give Bayreuth much of its baroque flavor. Modern Bayreuth is a Small City of 73,000 residents that shows the effects of neglect resulting from 41/2 decades of cold War and its proximity to the one time East German Border. It is alternately attractive and shabby with the feel of an economic and political Backwater. The anaemic Economy has precluded extensive restoration efforts like Freiburg s or Heidelberg s. Many of Bayreuth s once splendid yellow Sandstone buildings Are stained and blackened. Some streets Are in disrepair. And some of the buildings that were constructed in the years after world War ii especially the new City Hall Are glaringly out of place among their medieval and baroque neighbors. But there Are Many parts of the City that Are visually appealing. One of the most attractive is Friedric Strasse a quiet Cobblestone Boulevard lined with lavishly ornamental municipal buildings and Gas lantern style Street lamps. Quot you should t miss the Friedric Strasse Quot says the tourist office s Kretzer. Quot that s our baroque  one of the More noteworthy structures is the Sta Thalle formerly the Royal Riding Hall and stables but now a theater and concert Hall. The Street also contains More modest Rococo style buildings Many of them originally residences of wealthy merchants aristocrats and court hangers on. For those who Long to escape from pavement and Walls the gardens behind the Neues Schloss new Palace just off Friedric Strasse on Ludwi Strasse offer acres of lawns pools and pathways punctuated with towering Lindens Maples Oaks and beeches. It is a setting for strolling with children or just sitting on a Bench to watch the ducks paddle and the leaves fall. Bordering the Castle gardens is the City s most popular tourist attraction Villa Jahnfried Wagner s family Home and now the Richard Wagner museum. Some 40,000 people visit the museum each year. Nearby continued on Page 4 october 29, 1992 stripes Magazine 3