Bayreuth
I've just returned from Bayreuth, the small German city where the annual Richard Wagner festival is held. Richard Wagner himself conceived of the Festspielhaus, the venue for the festival. For lovers of Wagner's operas and perhaps of opera generally, the festival is a must at some point in a lifetime. I waited many years for tickets because seats so rarely become available. The festival has several unique features: the four o'clock starting times and lengthy intermissions, the unique Bayreuth sound, which comes in part from a sunken, invisible orchestra pit, the beautiful grounds of the Festspielhaus, designed for walks during the lengthy intermissions. The house is small and leads to a feeling of closeness with the singers. The seating is famously uncomfortable: It was with difficulty that I managed to avoid bumping my neighbors as I continually shifted myself to try to find an un-tortured way of sitting. Of course, many features are the same as in the other opera houses I've seen: someone will complain about something, whether the music or the production or something else, the person in the middle seat will always be the last to arrive, certain audience members seem more interested in their own elegant dress than in the music, any opera will be interrupted periodically by a chorus of coughs (often led by me).
Events I experience late in life, especially once in a lifetime, long anticipated events, often leave me with mixed feelings. On the one hand, I'm glad I finally made it. On the other, I find myself asking why didn't I go earlier. Bayreuth was a good example. I believe I would have been more comfortable in the seats when I was younger. On the other hand, most people, even people who love opera. never get to hear Wagner in the Festspielhaus.
Thinking about things intelligently, there's really no reason for ambivalence. We must take things as they come, we must experience events at whatever age we are and, most importantly, we must enjoy things. Wishing that things were better or different or experienced at a younger age means that we don't fully enjoy the good things in our lives. Second-guessing our lives will inevitably make them more difficult. Looking to the past, except to learn the lessons of experience, makes it more difficult to improve our current lives. If we have negative thoughts about the best things that happen to us, how likely is it that we will be able to adopt a positive attitude to difficulties?
Live in the present and take things as they are. Don't wish for the impossible and you'll feel better about the present and the future. And, of course, feeling better will make it easier to help others to feel better.
8-14-06
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