Kiss - Kiss Tells All

Returning to Bayreuth on July 28 with virtually nothing, Wagner, in desperation, even began, according to Cosima’s diary, to think about emigrating to America. It was already clear that the 1877 festival would not take place. However, deciding on such an extraordinary act as fleeing the ocean was not easy, and Wagner made a new decisive attempt to find the necessary means to overcome the hopeless financial crisis. He decided to establish a school at Festspielhaus, where singers, orchestra students and conductors could study. At the same time, it was assumed that her students would receive a comprehensive musical education and, upon graduation, not only be able to adequately perform the works of contemporary composers such as Wagner or Liszt, but also understand and convey to the listeners the entire depth of the works of classics, including Bach, Mozart and Beethoven.Revenues from the educational institution Wagner intended to start up to cover the costs of the festival; he even developed a curriculum and hoped to start classes in 1878.