Bayreuth Festival revives Wagner's Rienzi in marathon six-hour production

The Bayreuth Festival has revived Richard Wagner's early opera Rienzi, which the composer later dismissed as a 'youthful sin'. The production, directed by Tobias Kratzer, runs for six hours at the Festspielhaus and explores themes of authoritarian populism. The opera tells the story of a Roman tribune who rises to power through popular support but becomes a tyrant. Kratzer's staging updates the setting to a contemporary political context, drawing parallels to modern populist movements. The production features a large cast and chorus, with conductor Christian Thielemann leading the orchestra. Critics have noted the work's length and the shouting style of the performance, which some found exhausting. The revival is part of the festival's ongoing effort to reassess Wagner's lesser-known works.