Bayreuth Festival opens engulfed in 'Nazi' scandal

AFP - The Bayreuth Festival, an annual month-long celebration of Richard Wagner, opens Wednesday, with its new production of "The Flying Dutchman" engulfed in scandal even before the curtain rises. Just four days before opening night, Yevgeny Nikitin, the Russian opera singer cast in the title role announced he was pulling out following a row over a "Nazi" tattoo he sports on his chest. The Bayreuth Festival runs from July 25 to August 28 every year and the opening night is traditionally attended by Germany's political and social elite. So the appearance of a singer sporting Nazi tattoos would have been a huge embarrassment for all concerned. On Tuesday, Nikitin insisted the images were not...