The New Bayreuth
Review by Loli Castellón
REVIEW
The New Bayreuth by Emilio Gómez. Bayreuth is a small village in Germany. It´s a charming place where Richard Wagner made his theatre. This theatre is a reference for Wagnerian productions throughout the world. The easiest way to have a quick trip to Bayreuth is reading Emilio Gómez´s book. This book is for lovers of scenography. The New Bayreuth is the latest book about Wagnerian opera scenography in the 20th century. This book is based on the work that Wieland Wagner did to renovate Wagnerians scenography. Wieland Wagner is one of Richard Wagner´s grandsons.
Wieland Wagner tried to do something different. He contracted young singers of all nationalities. He gave them some advice about how to move on the stage. He wanted small and very intimate movements. He decided to remove all the furniture from the stage. He wanted to focus attention on the important things. He used light to create atmospheres and to direct the attention of the audience. The conductors were the most famous ones, for example Herbert von Karajan. All these things represented a significant change in opera.
This book is very easy and enjoyable to read. The author tells us in a entertaining way all the difficulties that an opera production has. He gives us a different point of view to overcome all the difficulties when you have a lower budget.
If you like scenography and you want to know more about the evolution of scenography in the 19th and 20th centuries, then this book is for you.
I recommend getting hold of a copy as soon as you can. You don´t have to have read something about scenography before to enjoy and appreciate The New Bayreuth. Once you´ve read this book, you´ll want to know more about Wagnerian opera.
