Bayreuther Festspielhaus: Documentary Analysis

In the beginning of the documentary an array of music is being played. The instruments range from violins, horns, and harps. The building that these instruments are being played in is considered a legendary theater. The name of this legendary theater is called Bayreuther Festspielhaus and it is located in Bayreuth, Southern Germany. It is a festival opera house where an event takes place every summer that dedicates the music of Richard Wagner. The centerpiece of the festival at the opera house is the ring cycle. The ring cycle is four music dramas inspired by ancient myth. The reason for this is because Wagner’s music is only one element of his genius. Wagner is also considered a great dramatist. Wagner’s work is so unique that it required
We can see that Wagner’s influence is strong because the costume designs are taken very seriously. People all around the world were and continue to be influenced by Wagner’s music. Even people who are not well liked admired Wagner’s work. One political figure mentioned in the documentary that fits that description is Adolf Hitler. The reason why Wagner’s music was admired so much is because of how serious he took his work. Wagner was not the type of person that wanted to show off. Wagner started off working in opera houses writing operas. But his work ideas were soon deemed racial. So Wagner transferred his work to a royal court, which he then got into political affairs. This eventually caused a price to be put on Wagner’s head. Wagner then fled to Switzerland where he would change opera forever. Landscapes in Switzerland inspired Wagner and his music when he stayed there. Wagner did not want his work and opera to be deemed artificial, which is why people admired his work so much. In Switzerland, Wagner created something new and extraordinary that had to do with the style of natural great tragedy. Wagner’s style of tragedy can relate to everyone with any