Day 6 (continued), Day 7 and Day 8 - Bayreuth

The days have gotten a little confused.  Here is what I think is the rest of day 6...

.....including a walk into town

passing a high end dirndle and lederhosen shop....

The old castle had an exhibit - free - called Silenced Voices - The Bayreuth Festspeil and the Jews.  Unfortunately, it was all in German, but I got the message - all the German singers and orchestra members and conductors who either emigrated or were killed.....

... and more public art, this time actually NOT statues of Wagner.....

until once again, we arrive at the Festspielhaus, this time for the first of four parts of the Ring, Rhinegold.  Below, is the front facade, as we wait for the fanfare to announce that the doors are open...

...... and yet another opera outfit.  Note the green, in honour of the Rhinegold.....

Aren't we a pretty couple?  Below, a picture of the infamous wooden seats in the opera house.  They are actually not nearly as bad as we expected.  In fact, we have eschewed the pillows provided by the hotel in favour of just the seats....

We have been lucky with the weather too.  It has been nice, fall weather during the day, and consequently the opera house has not been nearly as warm as advertised.....

And what about the production, you might ask?  Well, imagine Wotan as Tony Soprano, the Rhine Maidens as hookers, the giants as thugs, and the whole thing taking place in a motel (appropriately called The Golden Motel ) in Texas on Route 66.  And to indicate taking the Rainbow Bridge to Vallhala?  They took down the Texas flag and raised the Rainbow Flag (yes, THAT rainbow flag...)

Those of you who know my opera and theater predilections know that, mostly, I like my opera and my theater straight.  But actually, it worked.  Certainly better than the previous two nights.  There were no boos, and serious cheers and clapping for singers and orchestra.

Which, by the way, you have to listen to.  The hall has no center aisles, and there are little German Valkuries at each - locked - door, to make sure no one leaves early.  I can't imagine OSHA allowing that, but hey, it seems to work for them.

And the evening certainly worked for us.  The opera was over shortly after 9 (the short ones start at 6, the long ones at 4 in the afternoon have I said?), and we were tired of hotel food.  We traipsed back into town, together with a number of other opera goers, and found Oskars, a traditional German restaurant.....

...generally speaking, I don't like eating late, but it does make me feel sophisticated....

And the beginning of day 7, as usual, started with a buffet.....

(although this seems to be a collage of food and drink offerings).

Camera is charging, so the end of day 7 and Day 8 next time, with lots more pictures to come.... ....