The Bayreuth Succession: - Gangster Tactics

From the August 2001 newsletter

This dramatic heading comes from an article in the Aug. 2, 2001 Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) that shows that the tension over the future of the Bayreuth Festival is no nearer to resolution. The article draws an only partly jocular comparison between the legalistic tactics over tax evasion that the US FBI used to convict and jail Al Capone and the Bayreuth succession. On the Green Hill, it may come down to a matter of tenancy! As the article puts it: "Now that his threat to slash or even ax Bayreuth's funding from the Bavarian state government has apparently fallen on deaf ears, the crafty Zehetmair appears to have another legal trick up his sleeve to force Bayreuth's potentate to his knees: terminating the lease on the festival hall." The article also points out the complexity in choosing a single or even a couple of people to direct/manage/plan such a prestigious Festival.

If you would like to read the full article try accessing it at this address or go to the FAZ website and search on "Gangster Tactics" or "Wagner"!

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