Bayreuth, Germany - The Bayreuth Festival intends to break new ground this year with the live broadcast of an opera to a public viewing area, organizers said Wednesday. The move would fulfil the dream of festival founder Richard Wagner, who wanted to open up the world famous event to as many opera lovers as possible, festival spokesman Peter Emmerich said.
Emmerich left open which performance would be chosen for the live broadcast from the festival hall to a public area in the centre of the Bavarian town.
He said it could be the opening night performance of Parsifal on July 25 or the controversial staging of The Mastersingers by Wagner's great-granddaughter, Katharina.
Katharina Wagner, 29, who made her debut at last year's festival, is currently bidding to take over the running of the festival from her 88-year-old father, Wolfgang Wagner.
Other members of the Wagner family, which is divided on artistic and political grounds over the festival 's future, are also interested in the position, which is for life.
Performances for the festival are sold out long in advance. There is a waiting list of eight years for tickets.
