Internationale Maifestspiele Wiesbaden

The International May Festival held every year at the Hessian State Theatre in Wiesbaden. They were founded in 1896 by the then director George of sleeves.

History

The idea for the May Festival goes back to the Richard Wagner Festival in Bayreuth, held annually since 1876. After the opening of the new State Theatre in 1894, the director George of pods picked up the idea. As Kaiser Wilhelm II stayed in May each year in the world spa, it was natural to put the festival in this month. From 6 to 19 May 1896, the first May Festival took place.

By 1914 the works of Richard Wagner was a focus in the program, but other operas were staged, including in 1900, Oberon by Carl Maria von Weber. With the First World War, the May Festival have been set for the time being. Even after the war was not to be thought a long time to resumption of tradition. Only in 1929 were under the direction of Paul Bekker from 4 to 21 May for the first time May Festival held a premiere of the opera The Egyptian Helena by Richard Strauss. Even in the years 1931 and 1932 found premieres take place during the May Festival.

With the assumption of power by the National Socialists the theater were brought into line. The May Festival took place until 1939 under the Gaukulturwochen during this time. They were under the directorship of Carl von Schirach.

After the Second World War, the May Festival in 1950 resumed. With the new name International May Festival is also joined a new artistic concept by significant foreign stages will be invited to the festival. The Foundation of the International May Festival supports the festival every year financially. The program consists of opera and drama performances by renowned ensembles as well as excellent ballet and dance performances, concerts, readings and gala evenings of opera with outstanding singers. Productions for children and young boy shows the week, which is an integral part of the program May Festival for many years. Artistic responsible for program selection is the director of the Hessian State Theatre in Wiesbaden.