His Last Bow

Wolfgang Wagner, 88-year-old director of the Bayreuther Festspiele, has, after 57 years, the first 15 of those years in partnership with his brother, Wieland, (finally) tendered his resignation as Festspiele director effective 31 August reports Bloomberg News:

Wolfgang Wagner, the 88-year-old director of the Richard Wagner Festival in Bayreuth and grandson of the composer, announced he is stepping down from his post after 57 years, ending an impasse over the festival leadership.

His successor hasn't yet been appointed and it is now up to the Wagner family* to agree on who should take over the 132-year- old festival, Thomas Goppel, the Bavarian minister for science, research and art, told reporters in Bayreuth.

[...]

"This wasn't an easy decision," said Stefan Mueller, Wolfgang Wagner's lawyer. "But once it was clear that his two daughters were willing to team up, he thought it was time to leave. Mr. Wagner is convinced that this would be the soundest solution and he thinks it will go through."

Wagner's resignation takes effect on Aug 31. The 13 family members* have until then to come to an agreement on who should take over, Goppel said.

Next up: And the successor(s) is...

Stay tuned.

* Actually, it's not up to the Wagner family, but the Richard Wagner Stiftung Bayreuth, the Festspiele's governing board, to choose Wolfgang's successor.