Leipzig celebrates its famous son Richard Wagner in 2013

LEIPZIG, Germany – Leipzig is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Richard Wagner, who was born here on 22 May 1813. Whoever wants to understand the young Wagner must come to Leipzig, especially in 2013: 137 events have been scheduled in Wagner’s honour, 70 of which during the City of Leipzig Richard Wagner Festival (16-26 May 2013).

In a unique cooperation between Leipzig Opera and the Bayreuth Festival Wagner’s early works Die Feen, Rienzi and Das Liebesverbot will have their premiere, accompanied by the Gewandhaus Orchestra. Events like the Ring for Children at the Musical Comedy Theatre, the performance of the Götterdämmerung at the Paulinum of Leipzig University (22 May 2013), the opening of the Wave Gothic Festival with Parsifal or the cross-genre project “Wagner Reloaded – Apocalyptica meets Wagner” (5/6 July 2013) also cater for the younger generation.

Beside musical highlights many interesting exhibitions are on offer, e.g. “Richard Wagner – his passions and burdens” at the Museum of City History (13/03-26/05/2013), “Wagner’s Mythology” at the Klinger Villa (21/04-08/07/2013) and “World Creators: Wagner – Klinger – May” at the Museum of Fine Arts (16/05-15/09/2013). On 21 May a permanent exhibition about the young Richard Wagner will be opened at the Old St. Nicholas School. One day later, a new Wagner memorial by artist Stephan Balkenhol will be inaugurated.

Wagner is known as a reformer of European music in the 19th century and a trailblazer of modernity. In Leipzig he attended St. Nicholas School, St. Thomas School and Leipzig University where he received the musical skills that would put him on the map forever.

A survey of Wagner’s life in Leipzig, the complete events programme and travel deals are available on http://www.richard-wagner-leipzig.de.