Rienzi: Bayreuth Festival 2026

Rienzi: Bayreuth Festival 2026 (2026)



Rienzi: Bayreuther Festspiele 2026

8.0 2026 225 min —

Director: Alexandra Szemerédy

Cast: Andreas Schager, Gabriela Scherer, Andreas Bauer Kanabas, Jennifer Holloway, Michael Nagy

Drama History Music
Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Bayreuth Festival, this live stream marks a historic first: Wagner’s early grand opera *Rienzi*—once his most celebrated triumph—finally takes the stage of the Festspielhaus. Acclaimed directors Alexandra Szemerédy and Magdolna Parditka helm the production, with Nathalie Stutzmann leading a stellar cast. Heldentenor Andreas Schager stars as the title hero, joined by Gabriela Scherer as Irene and Jennifer Holloway as Adriano. Blending sweeping choral grandeur, public pageantry, and intimate tragedy, this *Rienzi* promises an unforgettable opening to a landmark festival season.

More About This Film

Rienzi: Bayreuth Festival 2026 is a filmed presentation of Richard Wagner's grand early opera as staged for the Bayreuth Festival. The work follows the rise of Rienzi, a Roman tribune who becomes a powerful political figure, with the production built around themes of ambition, public power, loyalty, and political upheaval.

The 2026 Bayreuth staging brings Wagner's rarely performed opera back to the festival in a large-scale production created especially for the Bayreuth stage. The performance emphasizes the work's ceremonial scale, choral writing, and dramatic contrasts while presenting the opera for contemporary audiences.

  • Conducted by Nathalie Stutzmann.
  • Directed and designed by Alexandra Szemerédy and Magdolna Parditka.
  • Andreas Schager and Magnus Vigilius share the title role of Rienzi in different performances.
  • Gabriela Scherer performs Irene, with Jennifer Holloway as Adriano.
  • The 2026 festival included multiple performances between July and August.

Where to Watch

The filmed performance is most likely to appear through opera-focused broadcasters and digital classical-music platforms.

  • ARTE – subscription/free streaming where available
  • medici.tv – subscription where offered
  • YouTube – rental/purchase or free viewing where offered
  • Prime Video – rental/purchase where offered
  • Apple TV – rental/purchase where offered
  • Google TV – rental/purchase where offered