Conférence / Rienzi, du reniement à la réhabilitation

Rienzi (The Last of the Tribunes) is one of those early “youthful drafts” that were long excluded from Bayreuth. Described by Wagner himself as a “monster,” his “loudmouth,” this “grand opera” is now set to make its debut—against all odds—at the Bayreuth Festival in 2026, thanks to the initiative of the composer’s great-great-granddaughter. Gustav Mahler once hailed it as “the greatest musical drama ever composed,” and Rienzi earned Wagner his first major success in 1842. So why has this opera been so unloved? Because of its oversized “grand opera” scale? Its controversial devotees? Or its strangely prophetic story of the rise and fall of a leader—a theme that still resonates today in times of conspiracy theories, political uncertainty, and looming threats?

Organized by the Cercle Richard Wagner Rive Droite.

Free admission – No reservation required – Subject to availability

The Cercle Richard Wagner Rive Droite was founded in 2010 and is celebrating its fourteenth anniversary this year. Its main goal is to promote 17th-century operas, with a special focus on the lyrical dramas of Richard Wagner, to a wide audience. It is also committed to making Wagner’s repertoire and masterpieces accessible to all, in a friendly environment open to all forms of musical expression. With over two hundred members, it is considered one of the most dynamic and active Wagner societies in France. Today, the CRWRD has become a major player in the region’s cultural life.