Reports from Bayreuth: Meistersinger Panel Discussion

Our annual event highlighting the summer festival season, this year we devote our program to the Bayreuth Festival’s new production premiere: Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg directed by Matthias Davids. Join us in a panel discussion discussing this work in context with those who attended the Festival, examining how the musical and dramatic interpretation reframe Meistersinger within today’s cultural landscape, sparking debate about tradition, innovation, and Wagner’s enduring relevance.

We’ll begin with insights from our two scholarship winners, who will share their experiences attending the Festival this summer. The program continues with a panel discussion on the new Meistersinger von Nürnberg production: a staging by Matthias Davids that has sparked widespread conversation. The conversation will examine what makes a production “Wagnerian,” how effective the comedy is across text, music, and staging, and how technologies like Live-in-HD and streaming are reshaping opera today. Panelists include Jillian Murray, Griffin Kaiser, and Sanford Schwartz. This event is designed to spark thoughtful debate about tradition, innovation, and Wagner’s enduring relevance. Ample time will be devoted to audience Q&A and discussion, allowing members to add their voices and perspectives.

The event will be followed by a social hour with refreshments.

Livestream: the event will be livestreamed (viewable up to 36 hours after the start of the event). WSNY Members will receive livestream link automatically by e-mail; no need to pre-register.