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Großansicht des Bildes mit der Bildunterschrift: A surprise awaits the audience on opening night The deeply conservative Wagner Festival in Bayreuth breaks new ground this summer, employing a stunt man to heighten an operatic staging effect for the first time in its 132-year history. Standing in for tenor Christopher Ventris, who sings Parsifal in the opera of the same name, Matthias Schendel, 31, will jump off a 6-meter (20-foot) high balcony at the premiere and festival opening night this Friday evening. "I'm proud and honored to be involved," said Schendel of his engagement for the highest of high culture events. Stunt men are a rarity in any opera house, but especially at a Wagner performance where music and meaning are the focus. The annual festival at Bayreuth is run by descendants of composer Richard Wagner and is... [read full story]
