Celebrating 41 years as a society!
© 2025 Wagner Society of Southern
California
Events
The WSSC plans unique events
throughout the calender year…
Our events occur in several regular places
throughout the year and sometimes in special
locations which will be noted:
NOTE: ZOOM Events are for WSSC
members and guests who purchased a
$10,00 entry fee.
The Colburn School
200 S. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Directions
Parking
The Chairman’s Home:
1630 South Barranca Ave.. #167
Glendora, CA 91740
Directions
Bayreuth Festival
Festspielhügel 1-2
85445 Bayreuth
GALA DINNER 2025
THE WAGNER SOCIETIES OF THE WORLD
& THE GESELLSCHAFT DER FREUNDE
VON BAYREUTH
Das Rheingold Gala 2025
Friday, August 15th
after the performance at the New
Festival Restaurant. For pricing and
information, click the button below…
WAGNER AND MENDELSSOHN
Lecture with Erica Miner
Although there was a stark contrast between the
music of Wagner and his contemporary Felix
Mendelssohn, the relationship between the two
German geniuses was fraught with
competitiveness, rivalry, and jealousy—mostly on
the part of Wagner. This frank discussion shines a
light on Wagner’s critical perspective toward his
brilliant German colleague.
Former Metropolitan Opera violinist Erica Miner is
an award-winning author, screenwriter, lecturer,
and journalist who actively contributes to major
arts websites and magazines. Erica’s Opera
Mystery novel series, published by Level Best
Books and based on her own experience into the
behind-the-scenes happenings that take place in
the opera world.
FAITH AND MIRACLES IN THE OPERAS
OF WAGNER
Lecture with Desiree Mays
Sun., June 29th, @ 1 PM PDT
Live via Zoom
From a ring of power, a transformational tarnhelm,
magic potions and flower maidens, to prayers to
Teutonic gods and goddesses, priestlike knights of
the grail, an exposé of the holy Eucharist, and more,
the operas of Wagner are filled with faith and
miracles. Why? Is there more to this than just
theatrical narrative?
Desiree Mays, a truly seasoned writer and lecturer
on opera in vast arenas for decades, is also a well-
versed Wagnerian. She has a clear understanding of
Wagner’s texts and provides simulating thoughts
about his works and beyond.
KLAUS FLORIAN VOGT RECITAL
“One of the premier Wagner tenors of
our time.”
Sat., Nov. 29th 2025, @ TBA
In person at the Colburn School
Klaus Florian Vogt is one of the finest Wagner
tenors of our time. His repertoire covers mostly
dramatic roles such as Lohengrin, Parsifal,
Tannhäuser, Stolzing, Siegmund and Siegfried but
also Florestan („Fidelio“), Paul („Die tote Stadt“)
and Hoffmann („Les Contes d’Hoffmann“). It
extends furthermore to lyric-dramatic roles such
as Erik („Der fliegende Holländer“), and much
more… He’s a much sought after guest at all major
opera houses from the Bayreuth and Salzburg
Festivals to Munich, Berlin, Hamburg, Paris,
London, Barcelona, Vienna, Madrid, Milan,
Toulouse, Helsinki, New York and Tokyo.
Born in Holstein, in the North of Germany, Klaus
Florian Vogt studied horn and played for several
years with the Philharmonic State Orchestra
Hamburg. Later he studied at the Conservatory in
Lübeck and gave up his position as a horn player
in the orchestra to become a tenor. He made his
debut in Flensburg and then became a member of
the company at the Opera in Dresden. Since 2003
he has been a freelance artist.