Simone Young to be First Woman to Conduct Ring Cycle at Bayreuth

Young, who is also the first Australian to appear at Bayreuth, will be part of a majority-female conducting team that also includes Oksana Lyniv and Nathalie Stutzmann

It was recently announced that conductor Simone Young will become the first woman to conduct Wagner's Ring cycle at Bayreuth in the 147-year history of the festival. At the same time, Young will become the first Australian to be given the honor.

The offer was extended after Philippe Jordan had to withdraw from the performance due to other commitments.

Young's presence means that for the first time, there will be more female conductors than male conductors at the festival.

Previously, no woman had ever stood on the podium at Bayreuth in any capacity until 2021, when The Flying Dutchman was led by Ukrainian conductor Oksana Lyniv.

Lyniv will return in 2024 for the same opera, while French conductor Nathalie Stutzmann will lead Tannhäuser.

"We are thrilled that Simone Young has been invited to conduct at the Bayreuth Festival," said Sydney Symphony Orchestra CEO Craig Whitehead.

"This invitation is a clear recognition of Simone’s status as one of the world’s great conductors of Wagner’s music – an artistry we were privileged to witness in Sydney recently for our performances of Das Rheingold in November. We are tremendously excited about this opportunity for Simone. Sydney audiences will also have the opportunity to experience Simone’s musical leadership as our Ring Cycle in Concert project continues when we perform Die Walküre in 2024."