Thursday, 18 June 2026 – Dress rehearsal «Tannhäuser»
As a prelude to this June weekend, a limited number of guests (on a first-come, first-served basis) will have the opportunity to attend the dress rehearsal of Richard Wagner’s «Tannhäuser» at the Zurich Opera House on Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. The acclaimed Icelandic opera director Thorleifur Örn Arnarsson is responsible for this new production, while the musical direction is in the hands of Tugan Sokhiev. Your personal tickets for the dress rehearsal will be provided on site.
Guests participating in the «Wagner Experience» will be welcomed from 5:00 p.m. with a glass of sparkling wine and light refreshments in the elegant Mirror Hall, overlooking Sechseläutenplatz. The management of the Zurich Opera House will personally welcome you upon arrival. Before the dress rehearsal begins, there will also be time for guests to get to know one another within the group. During the intermissions, the regular hospitality services will be available. No special dress code is required for the evening.
Friday, 19 June 2026 – Day trip to the Richard Wagners Landhaus Tribschen in Lucerne
On Friday, a carefully curated day trip to Lucerne will open the «Wagner Experience». Under the guidance of Dr. Sven Friedrich, Director of the Richard Wagner Museum Bayreuth, you will visit the place where Richard Wagner himself said he spent the happiest years of his life: his country villa at Tribschen on the shores of Lake Lucerne. This was an exceptionally significant period in Wagner’s life, particularly with regard to the creation of the Bayreuth Festival Theatre.
The estate has always exerted a special fascination on its visitors and is a Wagner site of outstanding historical importance. It was here that the composer lived for six years in family happiness with his second wife, Cosima, the daughter of Franz Liszt. It was also here that Wagner’s only son, Siegfried, was born in 1869. Distinguished figures such as King Ludwig II of Bavaria and Friedrich Nietzsche, both members of Wagner’s circle of friends, visited him in his «Tribschen Idyll». On his estate, Wagner worked intensively on his monumental cycle «Der Ring des Nibelungen», completed his opera «Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg», and composed the Siegfried Idyll, which received its premiere on December 25, 1870, in the staircase hall of the residence as a birthday gift for Cosima’s 33rd birthday. Dr. Monika Sigrist, Director of the Museum, will take you on a journey through Wagner’s Lucerne years and share fascinating anecdotes from his life.
Our excursion will focus on Wagner’s years in Tribschen between 1866 and 1872. At the Richard Wagner Museum, we will visit this authentic historic site with its unique atmosphere and take a close look at the composer’s original Érard grand piano. You will not only see this remarkable instrument but also hear it: pianist Jobst Schneiderat will bring it to life. Beyond that, however, we shall not reveal too much just yet.
The official program runs from 11:00 a.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m. Travel to and from the venue is arranged individually. A light refreshment will be provided on site. Afterwards, you will have the opportunity to explore the city of Lucerne at your own leisure. For a delightful break, we recommend coffee and cake at the Hotel Schweizerhof, where Richard Wagner stayed in 1859 and completed his opera «Tristan and Isolde» during his visit.
Saturday, 20 June 2026 – City tour «Tracing Wagner's Path», privat concert, gala dinner
Saturday forms the heart of the weekend. During the morning, between 9:30 a.m. and 12:00 noon (three groups will depart at 15-minute intervals, german and english), a comprehensive guided city tour invites participants to discover Zurich in the footsteps of Richard Wagner. The tour lasts two hours. Among other sites, we will visit the «Le Petit Palais» hall at the Baur au Lac Hotel, where the first act of «Die Walküre» received its premiere performance with Franz Liszt at the piano. Richard Wagner himself sang the roles of Hunding and Siegmund on that occasion. Another highlight is a visit to Villa Schönberg on Zurich’s «Green Hill». Built in 1856 by Otto Wesendonck and specially remodelled for his guest Richard Wagner, the villa served the composer during the years 1857–1858 not only as what he himself called an «asylum» or «refuge», but also as a retreat where substantial portions of «Tristan und Isolde» and the Wesendonck Lieder were composed. Please note that this tour is conducted on foot and takes place predominantly outdoors. As we immerse ourselves in Richard Wagner’s Zurich years, no refreshments or catering will be provided during the tour.
After an informative morning, there will be time for a short individual break before the next exclusive highlight awaits you. We are delighted to invite you to a distinguished song recital featuring two exceptional artists: Catherine Foster and Klaus Florian Vogt will present a highly exclusive programme for you this afternoon in the most intimate of settings. The private concert will take place on stage. For this afternoon, the auditorium will belong exclusively to us, the guests of the «Wagner Experience», what a privilege. Admission is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., allowing time for an official welcome by the General Director of Zurich Opera House, Matthias Schulz, and the Director of the Bayreuth Festival, Prof. Katharina Wagner. The concert begins at 4:00 p.m. and lasts approximately 75 minutes. This internationally acclaimed song recital will find its elegant conclusion in a gala dinner held in the magnificent halls of Zurich’s renowned Haus zum Rüden.
At approximately 5:30 p.m., immediately following the private concert, we will make our way together to the Zunfthaus Haus zum Rüden, which is located around a ten-minute walk from the Opera House. Between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m., we will enjoy a refined apéritif in the Rüdenstübli, offering the perfect opportunity to engage with the artists in attendance. At 7:00 p.m., guests will take their seats for the gala dinner. The deliberately intimate setting creates space for conversation and exchange. The evening will take place in the presence of Prof. Katharina Wagner and Matthias Schulz. Catherine Foster and Klaus Florian Vogt will also be among the guests of the evening. Dress code for the song recital and gala dinner: Summer elegance.
Sunday, 21 June 2026 – Premiere «Tannhäuser»
The weekend concludes with the premiere of «Tannhäuser» at the Zurich Opera House. As ticket availability is highly limited, seats will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis according to the order in which registrations are received. The cost of these tickets is not included in the “Wagner Experience” package. During the two intermissions, we will gather for a convivial drink. The evening’s special highlight awaits after the performance: celebrate the new production with us directly on the stage of the opera house! Enjoy a unique view of the magnificent auditorium and reflect on the musical impressions and experiences of your personal Wagner journey in stimulating conversation with fellow guests and our team. The premiere begins at 5:00 p.m. Doors open at 4:00 p.m.
