‘The Valkyrie’ will play under the artistic direction of German composer Richard Wagner’s great granddaughter

For the first time ever, the Bayreuth Festival steps out of its specially designed home, the Festspielhaus, and brings one of its creator’s, German composer Richard Wagner’s, operas to the UAE’s capital.

Part of Abu Dhabi Classics, organised by the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi, The Valkyrie will debut on January 30 and February 1 at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi. The musical drama has been perfected under the artistic direction of Katharina Wagner, great granddaughter of the renowned composer.

The event will also include a feature length film, which will be played in the background, telling the story of The Valkyrie and revisiting the locations that inspired the 19th-century great’s work.

Saif Saeed Ghobash, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, said: “We have been working with Katharina Wagner for many years to bring this project to fruition and it is truly unique. The Bayreuth Festival is coming to Abu Dhabi with a production reflecting its outstanding artistic quality and innovative vision which at the same time proves that Abu Dhabi is a platform for world-class cultural offerings.”

Wagner’s oeuvre includes Der fliegende Holländer, The Ring of the Nibelung, Tristan und Isolde and Parsifal.

Tickets to the show on January 30 and February 1 next year start at Dh395. A limited number of student tickets are available for Dh200.