»The Wagner Cycles« continue: the Dresdner Musikfestspiele presents »Die Walküre« in concert, adhering to historically informed performance practice, in Prague, Amsterdam, Cologne, Hamburg, Lucerne and Dresden
The performance also marks the continuation of the large-scale musical and academic project »The Wagner Cycles«, which began in 2023 under the leadership of the Dresdner Musikfestspiele and celebrated its inauguration with the concert premiere of »Das Rheingold« in Dresden.
Its mission is to perform one part of Wagner’s »Der Ring des Nibelungen« every year, using historical instruments and adhering to the vocal and declamatory practice of the time of its creation, involving academic experts. Concerts take place throughout Europe. They are preceded by intense workshop and rehearsal periods characterized by close and intense exchange between orchestra, vocal ensemble and academic advisors.
»May the magic of music unite our wonderful cities of Prague and Dresden, and us, their residents, even more closely in friendship,« says Jan Vogler, Artistic Director of the Dresdner Musikfestspiele.
»Dresden and Prague are both cities with a significant Wagner history. The first director of our State Opera, Angelo Neumann, was a close friend of Wagner and he turned Prague almost into a second Bayreuth. Already in 1885, on invitation from Neumann, Gustav Mahler conducted ›Die Walküre‹ here. It is with great gratitude and pride we present this unique performance, led by Kent Nagano, in collaboration with the Dresden Music Festival,« says Per Boye Hansen, Artistic Director of the Prague State Opera.
After the premiere in Prague, »Die Walküre« will be performed by the Dresdner Festspielorchester and Concerto Köln under Kent Nagano’s baton on March 16 at the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, on March 24 at the Philharmonie Cologne and on May 1 at Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie and on August 21 at the Lucerne Festival. As the highlight of the tour, it will open the 47th Dresdner Musikfestspiele at the Kulturpalast in Dresden on May 9, 2024. The Dresden performance will be accompanied by a comprehensive program of events, including a workshop concert, academic lectures, panel discussions, presentations of instruments and other events.
The Dresdner Musikfestspiele was founded by the City of Dresden in 1978 and has become one of Europe’s leading festivals under the directorate of cellist Jan Vogler, appointed in 2009. The festival’s range of events includes guest appearances of the world’s top orchestras, internationally acclaimed soloists and jazz ensembles, but also performances by the Hollywood star Bill Murray, the blues legend Eric Clapton, or – as in 2024 – the Dresden debut of the Grammy-winning artist Laufey.
The 47th Dresdner Musikfestspiele takes place from May 9 to June 9, 2024.