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Thielemann on Friedman controversy in Bayreuth: 'It's a storm in a teacup'
🇦🇹 Austria /Culture & Society

Thielemann on Friedman controversy in Bayreuth: 'It's a storm in a teacup'

From Die Presse · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Conductor Christian Thielemann described the controversy surrounding a canceled event in Bayreuth as a "storm in a teacup."
  • The event, a memorial for murdered Jewish musicians, was initially canceled, then reinstated after protests.
  • Thielemann suggested the security concerns cited for the cancellation were plausible but that a new date would likely be found.

Conductor Christian Thielemann has characterized the media uproar over a canceled event in Bayreuth as a "storm in a teacup." The event, a planned memorial matinee for murdered Jewish musicians, faced a confusing series of cancellations and reinstatements shortly before the Bayreuth Festival was set to begin.

That is a storm in a teacup.

— Christian ThielemannCommenting on the media excitement surrounding the canceled memorial event.

The matinee, scheduled for July 26 at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus, was initially canceled even before its official announcement. This led to a wave of protests, prompting an apology from the festival management. Subsequently, on Friday, it was announced that the event could proceed after all.

Michel Friedman was slated to deliver a speech on antisemitism, Richard Wagner, and the Bayreuth Festival. The topic has been a recurring subject of discussion in Bayreuth for decades. The festival orchestra was to perform Wagner's "Siegfried Idyll" under Thielemann's direction as part of the memorial.

Then secure this event. And spare yourselves all Sunday speeches.

— Michel FriedmanQuoted by the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" in response to the event's cancellation.

Bayreuth authorities had initially cited security concerns, stating that holding another event on the morning before an opening premiere, this year featuring Wagner's early work "Rienzi" for the festival's 150th anniversary, would be unmanageable. Friedman responded to the initial cancellation by stating, "Then secure this event. And spare yourselves all Sunday speeches." He added that the seriousness of confronting the antisemitic Wagner was undermined by the cancellation.

The seriousness of confronting the antisemitic Wagner has been reduced to absurdity by this cancellation.

— Michel FriedmanQuoted by the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" regarding the implications of the event's cancellation.

Thielemann, speaking to "Die Presse," acknowledged that while Friedman's sharp formulations are characteristic, the media excitement was excessive. He noted that while the security concerns regarding the Festspielhaus might be valid, he is confident a new date will be found for the event. Thielemann also mentioned he learned about his planned musical contribution, conducting the "Siegfried Idyll," only through the newspaper.

I know Friedman very well and enjoy the conversations with him because he is quite lovable in personal interaction.

— Christian ThielemannDescribing his personal relationship with Michel Friedman amidst the controversy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Presse in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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