'Communication Deficit': Katharina Wagner Apologizes for Canceling Friedman Event

Katharina Wagner, the director of the Bayreuth Festival, has issued an apology for the temporary cancellation of a memorial event that was set to feature Michel Friedman. Wagner described the situation as stemming from a "significant internal communication deficit" and a "fatal misjudgment" within the festival's organization.

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Please understand if I do not want to say more about this, except: I bear the responsibility as head of these festivals.

The controversy arose when Friedman, a prominent figure, was initially invited and then uninvited to a commemoration for Jewish musicians persecuted during the Nazi era. Friedman publicly shared his indignation over the turn of events, which quickly drew criticism.

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All of this I am truly sorry for.

Following public outcry, the festival reversed its decision. The memorial ceremony is now scheduled to take place on July 26, preceding the premiere of Richard Wagner's opera "Rienzi" at the Bayreuther Friedrichsforum. However, conductor Christian Thielemann will not be participating, and organizational details are still being finalized.

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Our commercial managing director had initially canceled all events not yet published under the impression of the many escalating international crises, including this one.

Wagner emphasized the importance of the event occurring during the festival's opening week when Bayreuth is under intense media scrutiny. She stated that she invited Friedman precisely because she sought a critical perspective, not just a celebratory one, acknowledging the complex and often dark history associated with the festival and the Wagner family, including Richard Wagner's own antisemitic writings and the festival's ties to Nazism.

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I myself naturally wanted to stick with the memorial concert with Mr. Friedman, which ultimately succeeded. In retrospect, however, we should have approached Mr. Friedman and informed him back then.