Nike Wagner, daughter of another former Bayreuth festival director, has applied for the post with Belgian director Gerard Mortier. (Associated Press)Another of composer Richard Wagner's descendants has stepped into the fray in the race to take over at the Bayreuth Festival in Germany.
Wolfgang Wagner, 89, grandson of the German composer, plans to step down when this year's festival ends this week.
Wolfgang Wagner's two daughters, Katharina, 30, and Eva, 63, have made a joint application for his post, which involves running the annual festival devoted to the works of the German composer.
Now Nike Wagner, great granddaughter of Richard Wagner and cousin to the two sisters, has made an application in co-operation with Belgian director Gerard Mortier.
Mortier, who helped orchestrate the resurgence of the Salzburg Festival in neighbouring Austria, is to become general manager and artistic director of the New York City Opera in the fall of 2009.
Nike's father, Wieland, was co-director with Wolfgang Wagner until his death in 1967.
Though Wolfgang Wagner long refused to relinquish control of the festival, in recent years he seemed to be grooming 30-year-old Katharina, from his second marriage, for the post. (Associated Press)The Bayreuth Festival board had attempted to get Wolfgang Wagner to step down last year but he argued his lifetime contract gave him control over the opera house where the festival is held.
He eventually announced in April he would retire when the festival ends Aug. 28.
In recent years Wagner seemed to be grooming 30-year-old Katharina, his daughter through his second marriage, for the post.
However, the festival's board backed 63-year-old Eva Wagner-Pasquier, his estranged daughter from his first marriage, for the job because of her experience as an arts and cultural administrator.
A decision is expected within weeks.
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