The red carpet on the Green Hill
While it's true that comparatively few well-known faces turned up on Bayreuth's red carpet this year, there were still some highlights worth taking in from the opening of the event's 103rd edition.
New material for the well-heeled
Even the Festspielhaus - Richard Wagner's venue for his operas - is all dressed up this year. Audiences will have plenty of new material to take in this year - and the Bayreuth Festival has always been good for a new scandal or two. Musically, though, it's all about tradition.
No chancellor in sight
A frequent guest, German Chancellor Angela Merkel was unable to attend the opening this year. But the head of Merkel's Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union, was on hand with his wife: Horst and Karin Seehofer.
Funny guy
Singer Roberto Blanco and wife Luzandra, joined on the left by former Bavarian Prime Minister Edmund Stoiber and wife Karin. Stoiber quipped to newsmagazine "Der Spiegel," that, "The two of us - we have humor. You in practice, and I - in theory."
Gloria adds some glamour
Gloria von Thurn and Taxis brought some glamour to the red carpet. A familiar face in the German-speaking world, the businesswoman and manager is among Bayreuth's frequent guests.
Longstanding Wagnerian
The 87-year-old former German Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher is also back at Bayreuth this year. Another frequent attendee, he's accompanied by his wife, Barbara.
Motherless in Bayreuth
Iris Berben cancelled her appearance, but her film producer son, Oliver Berben, made it to the Green Hill alone - bringing along girlfriend Katrin Kraus instead. Last year, Berben produced a film about the Wagner clan. Iris Berben played the role of Richard Wagner's widow.
Healthy and happy
Germany's health minister, Hermann Gröhe, was also on hand with a big smile and wife Heidi on his arm.
Bavarian political royalty
Along with Bavaria's current prime minister, Horst Seehofer, and his predecessor Edmund Stoiber, yet another of the state's former prime ministers was in attendance and visibly excited about the performances: Günther Beckstein.
Friendly gesture
US Ambassador to Germany John B. Emerson gave a good-natured wave to the crowd. In light of the recent turmoil in German-US relations, his appearance at the festival could be interpreted as a gesture of good will.
Stage defect
At first, it was shaping up to be the least spectacular opening to the Bayreuth Festival in years - until "Tannhäuser" suddenly had to be interrupted due to technical problems. The performance continued around 50 minutes later. But it reaffirmed what any true Wagnerian knows: There's no Bayreuth without some drama.