The Wagner Society in Gothenburg conducted its annual competition to appoint the 2023 Bayreuth Scholar. Mezzo-soprano/alto Eugenia Babich won the 2022 competition, which was held in St. Jakob's Church in Gothenburg on 22 October. She also received the audience award. Babich sang Erda's “Weiche, Wotan! Weiche!” from Rhenguldet and Fricka's "So ist es denn aus mit den ewigen Göttern" from Valkyrian. Eugenia Babich was born in Belarus and moved to Gothenburg two years ago. Last spring she sang in Malmö Opera's choir and then last fall in Gothenburg Opera's choir. The jury's reasoning: "With a magnificent big Wagnerian sound, she feels like an obvious winner. Her ease in interpreting two diametrically different Wagner ladies means that we see a fine future for her within the Wagner union." The scholarship covers travel, accommodation and tickets to next year's festival in Bayreuth.
