The Wagner Society of New York is committed to supporting the next generation of artists and scholars through its longstanding participation in the Bayreuth Festival’s Stipendium Program. Each summer, the program brings more than 200 emerging artists, musicians, and scholars from around the world to Bayreuth for a week of performances, lectures, tours, and invaluable opportunities to connect with the international Wagner community. The growing enthusiasm for this opportunity is especially exciting: in 2026, the Wagner Society of New York received twice as many applications as in 2025, demonstrating the increasing interest among young artists and scholars in engaging with Wagner’s legacy and building careers in the field.
To help meet this growing demand and ensure the program’s future, longtime WSNY supporter Dr. Edward Seidel has generously pledged a matching gift toward establishing a dedicated Bayreuth Stipendium Fund. Our goal is to raise $15,000 by December 31 2026, creating a sustainable source of support for future generations of Stipendiaten. Every contribution to the campaign will be matched dollar for dollar by Dr. Seidel, up to $7,500, doubling the impact of our members’ generosity. Donations help make this transformative experience possible by supporting travel expenses to and from the Festival: an essential investment that allows talented young Americans to participate, regardless of their financial circumstances.
The impact of this program extends well beyond a single summer in Bayreuth. Since relaunching our scholarship support in 2021, our Stipendiaten have gone on to develop careers as conductors, instrumentalists, vocalists, designers, and musicologists, while many have remained actively involved with the Wagner Society of New York as volunteers, committee members, and board members. As the only Wagner Society in North America regularly sending young artists to the Festival, WSNY plays a vital role in connecting the next generation with the international Wagner community and sustaining the future of Wagnerian performance. Together, we can build a lasting foundation for the Bayreuth Stipendium Program and double the opportunities we provide to the artists and scholars of tomorrow. Donate today!