Wildnis 2026 -Wagner's Villains!

Wagner in der Wildnis XXIV Register here

Wagner's Villains

Our 24th Annual Weekend Retreat (a members-only event)

Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14, 2026, with new optional evening Thursday, June 11 for relaxing and socializing with Simon and Jeffrey!

Cacapon Resort State Park 

Berkeley Springs, West Virginia 25411      

Background: :   How well do we know Wagner's villains? Wagner’s villains are well-drawn with fascinating backstories. He took great care to flesh out these characters and their motivations, avoiding stereotypical portrayals. Wagner created complex and often sympathetic villains for whom he wrote beautiful, dramatically intense music and text that keep us riveted to the dramatic action. Our highly-esteemed experts Simon Williams and Jeffrey Swann will guide us.

Pianist Jeffrey Swann offers his prized lecture-demonstrations at the piano.  An internationally renowned concert pianist, he is known from previous Wildnis weekends, his concert performances for the Wagner Society of Washington DC, his talks for the Smithsonian Institution Tristan und Isolde seminar in 2004, the Norn Scene for The Metropolitan Opera’s 2019 Ring production, his lectures at Bayreuth, and his new definitive new book The Music of The Ring: A Comprehensive Study of The Leitmotives and How They Are Used in Der Ring des Nibelungen.

Professor Simon Williams, Professor Emeritus after a thirty-year career at the University of California at Santa Barbara, presents his insightful lectures on Wagner and drama. His major publications include Wagner and the Romantic Hero, Richard Wagner and Festival Theater, A History of German Theatre (co-editor), and The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Stage Actors and Acting (sole editor). Simon is also a member of the Editorial Board of The Wagner Journal, the world's leading periodical devoted to Wagner studies.

The program features lecture and discussion sessions, informal conversations between sessions and at meals with lecturers and members, a DVD showing, and more.

Cacapon State Park, near Berkeley Springs, WVA, is a two-hour drive from downtown Washington. See http://www.cacaponresort.com for a virtual tour.

Registration Fee to be paid in full by March 20: The fee includes lectures, two nights’ lodging, breakfast, lunch, dinner, morning coffee, a welcome cocktail, and two after-hours parties.  Rates vary depending on the type of room selected; please see the enclosed registration form for rates; cost of optional Thursday night includes additional night’s lodging only, meals will be at your own expense. WSWDC members at the Patron level or above receive priority for room assignments.   

NB: This is a members-only event. Are you a member for 2026? If no, please join on our website www.wagner-dc.org.  The membership requirement is waived for members of other Wagner Societies based in North America. Please tell us to which society you belong, if any, when you register.

Click here to register!

Registration fees:

$770 per person for a single room, add $150 for optional night   (i.e. $920.00 with optional night)

$615 per person, $1230 total, for shared double room with one queen bed, add $150 for optional night

$665 per person, $1330 total, for shared double room two queen beds, add $160 for optional night

$725 per person, $1450 total, for shared double room with one king bed, add $200 for optional night

$500 per person if you make other sleeping arrangements and will not be staying at Cacapon.

Questions: call 703-370-1923 or email will.stewart@wagner-dc.org.

CANCELLATION POLICY:  Before April 15: a full refund minus a $50 handling fee.  After April 15: the refund amount depends on our ability to find a substitute participant. If you must change your plans, please let us know as soon as possible so we can release any rooms that won't be used,