European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - July 28, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                International Bayreuth opera festival for a amps Neil Neeley the ornate mar Ravial opera House first Drew Wagner to Bayreuth left. Two German women enjoy lunch in the Bule cafe a famous hangout for opera stars and fans. The Walls Are covered with photographs of famous singers from the past above. For a amps Neil Noxie across the Globe make annual trek to Franconia by Jacqueline Guthrie composer Richard Wagner made the franconian City of Bayreuth famous when he began holding opera festivals there in the 1800s. Almost 200 years later his Talent and legacy Stih draw people from around the world to visit his Home and attend his classic operas. Wagner born in Leipzig in 1813, was the youngest of nine children. His interest in music and theater started at an Early age. With Only six months of musical schooling Wagner taught himself to compose. His first work in 1828 was leu Bald und Adelaide. During the 1830s, Wagner directed a Small theatrical company and wrote die Feen and Das Liebes Verbout. He left Germany in 1849 and spent More than 10 years in exile in Switzerland where he created his masterpieces. In 1860 he returned to Germany and conducted concerts throughout Europe. But it was t until he settled in Bayreuth in 1872 that his legacy began. The mar Ravial opera House Drew Wagner to Bayreuth. Located near the main shopping zone its Blue Plush chairs fill the five level opera House. The Interior glitters with shiny Blue and Gold accents. Light flickers from antique candelabras and heavenly statues watch Over the theater from the Walls and ceilings. The enormous stage is 81 feet deep. Although the acoustics impressed Wagner he decided the mar Ravial would not do Justice to his creations so he built the fest Spilhaus festival House in Bayreuth. Financed by King Ludwig ii the fest Spilhaus towers Over the City on Green Hill. A Scenic path with Flower gardens and fountains surround it. Wagner was 59 years old when construction began. He designed the building insisting on simplicity. Rows of wooden chairs cover the hard floor and the orchestra lies hidden Between the spectators and the stage. The features give the theater unique acoustics and cause the audience to concentrate on the musical drama and not the social scene. The fest Spilhaus became the Center of Wagner s annual International Bayreuth opera festival. Wagner held his first festival in 1876 and performed the Der ringnes Nib Lungen. The fest Spilhaus Only features Wagner works Der Flie Gende Hollande Tannhauser tristan und Isolde die meistersinger von Nurnberg and parsifal. After his death in 1883, Wagner s family continued his work. First his wife then their son ran the opera House. Grandson Wolfgang Wagner is now the artistic director and festival manager. Each year the world s Best musicians singers technicians managers conductors Ana producers gather there to reproduce Wagner s work for thousands of people. The festival began monday and runs until aug. 28. The current waiting list for tickets is seven years. For information Call the fest Spilhaus at 0921-20221. The tourist information office is 0921 -88588. Royalty politicians the Rich and famous come from around the world. Hundreds of people gather in the Garden outside the fest Spilhaus during the festival to catch a glimpse of famous guests. The owl for centuries struggling artists gathered after the shows at local taverns. One of the most famous the Euie or owl is in the narrow and angled Alley Between the Mark Platz and the stad Kirch. Built in the 1600s, it is one of the oldest buildings in Bayreuth. It became a restaurant in 1838. Wagner s son Sigfried was a regular and Wagner himself ate there often. More than 500 autographed photographs of performers hang on the Walls. Today festival visitors gather at the owl to be close to their idols. The owner Frau Bonnefoy says she treats All customers As if they Are famous. Haus Jahnfried the history of Wagner is told at the Haus Jahnfried. Once his Home and now a museum it stands Between the hopfgarten and Richard Wagner Street in front of the building surrounded by red roses is a bust of King Ludwig ii. Wagner designed the main features of the Villa himself. Construction took two years and gave Wagner a lot of trouble. He frequently called it the Quot trouble  in contrast to the simplicity of his fest Spilhaus silk tapestries decorate the Walls and thick carpets line the floors of Haus Jahnfried the Large Hall with round sections facing the Garden has Plush sofas soft Arm chains Coffee tables desks and a grand piano. A servant chambermaid Gardener caretaker Cook and governess made up his staff Wagner once wrote Quot Beauty splendor and brightness Are a must for me. The world owes me what i need. Or is it really unreasonable to ask for a Little bit of luxury that i am so fond of after All i give the world and thousands of people so much Joy and pleasure Don t i Quot of the ground floor is the drawing room once the family room which contains Wagner s 2,000-Book Library. In the 1940s, a bomb hit the House. It demolished the drawing room and All its furniture. Before the museum opened in 1976, the Richard Wagner foundation restored it. The museum rooms Are on the second floor and Mezzanine. Color coded each room has a theme. Pictorial and written documents outline the life and work of the Wagner family and the history of the Bayreuth festival. The real treasure lies in the dark Halls of the basement. About 60 Model stage settings of Bayreuth productions glow in the darkness. They Date from the first performance in 1876 and show How the settings have changed Over the years. Jacque Una Guthria a a Fortnat Amplo Yaa with bit Public affair Lorac Tortota in Grafa Wohr Germany. 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