Applause for Angela Merkel at the Bayreuth Festival. 15 minutes before the performance begins, the former head of government walks the red carpet in Bayreuth.
Perfect timing: Former Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus 15 minutes before the performance begins. Traditionally, wind instruments then line up at the top to play a few bars from the respective Wagnerian music drama and thus draw attention to the imminent start of the performance.
Together with her husband Joachim Sauer, she walks the red carpet at temperatures of 35 degrees, there is friendly applause from onlookers. Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) spreads his arms wide to greet Merkel enthusiastically. After a few minutes she has disappeared into the Festspielhaus, “Tristan and Isolde” begins.
The first act of the production by director Roland Schwab and conductor Markus Poschner was celebrated by the festival guests with long and enthusiastic applause. The stage was designed like a futuristic spa area, sky above, water below.
It glitters and it sparkles
Merkel has been traveling regularly to the festival in Bayreuth for many years. Another regular guest is presenter Thomas Gottschalk. He grew up in nearby Kulmbach – “finally one of us”, so a fan commented on the entertainer’s arrival.
This year he came with his partner Karina Mroß, she wore an evening gown in dark pink with lots of glitter and a cape. In general – it glittered and sparkled on many robes, Söder’s wife Karin Baumüller-Söder also opted for a glittering dress in dark blue.
The current federal government was poorly represented, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) did not come. Research Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) was announced, but canceled her appointments due to corona disease. Building Minister Klara Geywitz (SPD) and Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens) were present in Bayreuth. In 2018, the current Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) and his then girlfriend Franca Lehfeldt presented themselves as a couple. They are now married, but decided not to visit Bayreuth this year.
This time, Merkel wore a two-piece yellow ensemble consisting of a blazer and a long skirt – similar to 2019. Yellow was fashionable in addition to glitter: Karin Stoiber, wife of ex-Prime Minister Edmund Stoiber, had also opted for this summery color. Also seen – green. The Federal Chairwoman of the Greens, Ricarda Lang, chose this color. Likewise the Franconian wine queen Eva Brockmann, who was there as a guest of the Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger (free voters).
Katharina Wagner with a mask
Director Katharina Wagner only showed up briefly. She looked out the door of the king’s portal, had her picture taken with Söder, but was wearing a mask. The festival management had also appealed to the other guests to protect themselves with masks.
At the same time, Wagner criticized the state government at the weekend for planning a large state reception after the start of the festival, even though the number of corona infections in the region is high. Merkel adhered to the mask recommendation in the house, pictures show her with blue mouth and nose protection.
In Bayreuth, the superlative festival began on this hot Monday – because no fewer than five new productions are on the schedule. After “Tristan and Isolde” these are the four parts of the “Ring des Nibelungen”.
Champagne Bratwurst
With the high temperatures, many visitors fanned themselves out long before the performance started, and ice cream and cool drinks were in demand in the catering trade. But there was also champagne bratwurst to buy.
A contrasting program at the foot of the Green Hill. “The world can’t afford the rich,” read a banner that climate activists had hung between trees there. In the morning hours, the group had occupied the trees to demonstrate for more climate protection. (dpa)