Rossini in Wildbad

Rossini in Wildbad is an opera festival in the Black Forest which, under the artistic direction of Jochen Schönleber, is dedicated to the discovery of new bel canto repertoire as well as emerging artists. Numerous singers of the younger generation have made their debut here in important roles, notably Michael Spyres, who became a baritenor here. Countless recordings with leading conductors of the repertoire bear witness to the festival’s productivity. Today, the festival is characterised by a number of unexpected venues, such as the monumental tower on the summit of the Sommerberg with acoustics as good as the sublime view. The most beautiful venue is the tiny Royal Spa Theatre (200 seats), whose deplorable condition back in 1989 was the reason for the founding of the festival. The patron of the reopening after successful restoration in 2005 was Dame Joan Sutherland. Today, up to three opera productions are staged in the Royal Spa Theatre, the others in the historic, New Objectivity-style Trinkhalle.