Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
WAGNER'S CASINO FINALE
Evenings at the casino (
Click here
) can be downright operatic: Richard Wagner survived the 20-year effort of
composing his stormy Ring cycle only to expire here in 1883. Wagner's suite has been turned into a museum,
with Wagner memorabilia that includes a request from Wagner's wife to deliver Champagne to their favourite
gondolier and, in a rather macabre touch, a copy of the sofa on which he had his fatal heart attack. There are also
copies of scores Wagner created in the 1830s - since the originals are now worth around €700 a page, keeping
them lying around here would be too much of a gamble, even for a casino. The museum offers tours ( 041
276 040; usually 10.30am Tuesday and Saturday and 2.30pm Thursday) by reservation at least 24 hours in ad-
vance; check the casino website for occasional concerts.
