Bayreuth Festival plans to present Wagner’s ‘Rienzi’ for the first time in 2026

By RONALD BLUM
Associated Press

BAYREUTH, Germany (AP) — The Bayreuth Festival intends to present “Rienzi” for the first time in 2026 for its 150th anniversary, going outside of the canon of Richard Wagner’s final 10 operas for the first time. Wagner’s family still runs the festival in Bayreuth, Germany, and until now has limited it to only what are considered his mature works. Katharina Wagner, a great-granddaughter who directs the festival, announced future plans a day before this year’s schedule opens. “Rienzi” will be staged along with the 10 other operas in 2026.