World Opera Day: L'Huomo (1754) is performed again in Bayreuth

Margravine Wilhelmine of Bayreuth established a music and opera culture at her court in the 18th century, the materiality of which is still tangible today through the Margravial Opera House opened in 1748. Through her active artistic activity, she set remarkable aesthetic accents in the European opera landscape. A highlight was the performance of the Festa teatrale L'Huomo, which was staged in 1754 in honour of the visit of her brother Friedrich ll. Wilhelmine not only provided the text for the work, she was also the creator of a very sophisticated light dramaturgy and stage scenery.

At the University of Bayreuth, scientific work on L'Huomo is being carried out under the project management of Prof. Dr. Kordula Knaus; a performance of the work is planned for the opening of the Bayreuth Opera House Museum in May 2023. In the context of the performance, an international conference (4-6 May 2023) on the vocal personnel of Italian opera at German courts will take place.

On World Opera Day, Prof. Dr. Kordula Knaus will be available to talk to media representatives about the following topics.

• What is the importance of opera for society in Germany/Bayreuth?
• Has the cultural/opera sector already recovered from Corona?
• How can we succeed in inspiring a younger audience for (baroque) opera?