Michael Spyres opens the 2025 Bayreuth Festival with his role debut as Walther von Stolzing in “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg”, and also returns as Siegmund in “Die Walküre”

Another exciting role debut awaits Michael Spyres at the 2025 Bayreuth Festival, where he steps into the role of Walther von Stolzing in a new production of Richard Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg”, directed by Matthias Davids and serving as the festival’s season opener. Under the baton of Daniele Gatti, the cast features Georg Zeppenfeld as Hans Sachs, Michael Nagy as Sixtus Beckmesser, Christina Nilsson as Eva, Jongmin Park as Pogner, Christa Mayer as Magdalene, and Matthias Stier as David. The premiere is set for July 25, with additional performances on August 2, 11, 14, 19, and 22.
Just two days later, Spyres returns to the Bayreuth stage in his acclaimed interpretation of Siegmund in “Die Walküre”, in the Valentin Schwarz production conducted by Simone Young. He is joined by Catherine Foster as Brünnhilde, Tomasz Konieczny as Wotan, Jennifer Holloway as Sieglinde, Christa Mayer as Fricka/Schwertleite, Vitalij Kowaljow as Hunding, and Margaret Plummer as Waltraute. An additional performance is scheduled for August 16.

Spyres made his Bayreuth debut last summer as Siegmund—now a signature role, while Walther von Stolzing marks the third Wagnerian hero to enter his ever-expanding repertoire.

[Photo: Marco Borrelli]