Bayreuth Festival

• Experience at least one of Wagner's operas in the theatre that the composer himself conceived, with its unique acoustic and remarkable history

• Learn about Wagner's life and association with Bayreuth, including a visit to his villa Wahnfried, his final resting place and now a museum

• Explore the cultural highlights of Bayreuth, including a visit to the splendid Margravial Opera House, one of the most beautiful Baroque theatres in the world

Tour Director

Tour Director Michael Downes, MA, MPhil, DPhil, OBE, is a conductor, writer and lecturer with a particular interest in opera. He studied English and Music at King’s College, Cambridge and completed a doctorate at the University of Sussex. He has lectured for most of the UK’s leading opera companies and writes programme notes for organisations including Wigmore Hall and Snape Maltings. He collaborated with Nike Wagner, great-granddaughter of Richard, on the English version of her book about her family’s history, and has also written extensively about Wagner and Elgar. Following two years as Director of Music at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, Michael has occupied the same post at the University of St Andrews since 2008. The following year he became musical director of St Andrews Chorus, now Scotland’s largest choral society, and founded Byre Opera, with whom he has conducted operas by Britten, Janacek, Tchaikovsky, Handel and Debussy, among others. He recently led the University’s project to build the £15m Laidlaw Music Centre. Michael’s book Story of the Century: Wagner and the Creation of The Ring was published by Faber & Faber in 2024 and has been described by Gramophone magazine as "the best introduction to The Ring out there". Michael was awarded an OBE in the King’s 2025 Birthday Honours List for services to music and education.

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