Tonight we were lucky enough to get to see the last performances in the Markgräfliches Opernhaus (or Margrave’s Opera House) here in Bayreuth for the next two years. The opera house is about to undergo a two year renovation and refitting of the back stage workings.
The opera house was completed in 1748 by Margravine Wilhelmine and her husband Margrave Fredrick. It seems that when Wilhelmine moved to Bayreuth she was determined to create a place that rivaled the large courts of the time. Wilhelmine was also a composer, directer and performer here at the Opernhaus. This beautiful Baroque building stands virtually unchanged since it was built, with its stage stretching 27 meters deep, making it the largest in Germany until 1871. This feature and the unique acoustic qualities of the hall are what brought Richard Wagner to Bayreuth.
Tonight’s performance was by African singer Dobet Gnahoré.
Born and raised in the Ivory Coast, Dobet quit school at the age of 12 and joined her father’s music colony made up of over 50 artists from throughout the continent of Africa. There, she would apprentice with the community of artist honing her craft as a percussionist, dancer, & vocalist. She sings of massacre, oppression, peaceful revolution, hope and freedom for Africa. Her songs, music and dancing were wonderful. Everyone was singing and clapping along to the rhythms of her songs. The evening ended with a standing ovation following an amazing encore.
It was a great evening that blended the beauty of the old Baroque opera house with the modern sounds of singing, drums and electric guitars.