The Ukrainian conductor will lead the new production cycle of 'Tannhäuser' at Bayreuth Festival in July 2026 — a series of six performances.
Oksana Lyniv returns to Bayreuth Festival in 2026 for a new Tannhäuser production by Richard Wagner. This is her second Festspielhaus contract following her historic 2021 debut when she became the first female conductor in the festival's history (Der fliegende Holländer production). The series of 6 performances runs from 18 July to 14 August. The new production is directed by Barbara Gauss (Frankfurt Opera), with stage design by Anna Vyborna (Lviv-based, 2024 Shevchenko Prize laureate). Cast includes: Klaus Florian Vogt (Tannhäuser), Lise Davidsen (Elisabeth), Bryn Terfel (Wolfram). Ukrainian influence: Lyniv chose a Ukrainian interpretation of the choral part — the programme includes a small 'memory passage' in the second-act finale, a reference to Bucha. Ukrainian tour partner — Lviv National Philharmonic — organizes free live-streaming on 18 July with the conductor's Ukrainian commentary. Recording on the official Bayreuth Festival channel launches in September 2026. Lyniv will also deliver a lecture-performance 'Wagner i Ukraina' at Goethe-Institut Kyiv in March 2026 — part of the pre-festival programme.
