Founded in 1953, the Wagner Society exists for the promotion of knowledge and understanding of the life and works of Richard Wagner. The Wagner Society is affiliated with the Richard Wagner Verband International.
Founded in 1953, the Wagner Society exists for the promotion of knowledge and understanding of the life and works of Richard Wagner. The Wagner Society is affiliated with the Richard Wagner Verband International.
Founded in 1953, The Wagner Society exists to promote knowledge, discourse and understanding regarding the life and works of Richard Wagner. We are affiliated with the Richard Wagner Verband International.
The Society’s activities include regular meetings, talks, study days, concerts and master-classes held in Central London, in addition to providing Members with access to the ballot for the annual Bayreuth Festival.
Members are kept up-to-date with regards to our schedule of upcoming events through our quarterly publication, Wagner News, as well as through this website.
The Wagner Society is open to any and all Wagner enthusiasts. Whether you are already a knowledgeable Wagner enthusiast, or simply like what you have seen and heard and are curious to learn more, we encourage you to join the Wagner Society.
In joining, you will meet many like-minded Wagner lovers, be able to attend our frequent lectures and recitals, and receive our quarterly magazine and regular emails with news and events relating to Wagner. You will also be able to participate in our annual ballot for tickets to the Bayreuth Festival.
We particularly encourage membership applications from students and Wagner enthusiasts under the age of 30, whom we invite to join free of charge.
Every year, the Wagner Society sponsors singers, conductors, directors and designers under the age of 35 to take part in the Bursary programme at the Bayreuth Festival – a once-in-a-lifetime, foundational opportunity for many of Programme’s participants.
Our annual Bursary recipients take part in talks at Villa Wahnfried, the Festspielhaus and the other historical locations in Bayreuth, as well as meeting many of the singers performing at the Festival that year. The Bursary recipients are also given the opportunity to attend three performances at the Festival itself.
Every year, the Society has the opportunity to apply for tickets for the Bayreuth Festival. We then offer these tickets to members of the Society through a ballot process (with joint members of the Society receiving two separate ballots).
We obtain our Bayreuth tickets from the Gesellschaft der Freunde and from the Bayreuth Festival itself, through our association with the Richard Wagner Verband International.
We hold regular live and Zoom talks regarding all aspects of Wagner and his works with performers, directors, conductors and academics. Live talks are held in a central London venue and, where possible, are also available online.
Members can log into our Members Area to access our online library, copies of Wagner News, Committee meeting minutes and Finances.
