After “Das Rheingold” and “Valkyrie”, singer John Lundgren is now also canceling “The Flying Dutchman”. Why he doesn’t want to go on stage.
The singer John Lundgren (53) will not sing the title role in the opera “The Flying Dutchman” at the Bayreuth Festival. He had previously returned his roles in “Ring des Nibelungen”.
The press spokesman for the festival said on Friday: “Due to the seriousness of his personal problems, John Lundgren is unfortunately unable to perform the title role in “The Flying Dutchman” at this year’s Bayreuth Festival and has therefore asked the festival management to be released from the role .” No further information was given. The “Nordbayerischer Kurier” had previously reported about it. Thomas J. Mayer will now take over the role.
Lundgren was originally intended for the roles of Wotan and Wanderer in the four-part “Ring”, but canceled about a month ago. Now Egils Silins sings Wotan in “Das Rheingold”, Tomasz Konieczny the Wotan role in “Valkyrie” and Wanderer in “Siegfried”.
The Bayreuth Festival traditionally begins on July 25th. This year the long-awaited new “Ring des Nibelungen” will celebrate its premiere, directed by Valentin Schwarz. Pietari Inkinen is the musical director. (dpa)