About BWG
2018–2020: Building the Foundation
Founded in Berlin, Germany in 2018, Berlin Wagner Group was established with a dual purpose: to create meaningful professional opportunities for emerging Wagnerian singers and to make Richard Wagner's extraordinary operas more accessible to contemporary audiences. During its first years, the organization prepared and performed three complete Wagner operas, presented numerous concerts and recitals throughout Berlin, and collaborated internationally, including co-producing a complete Ring Cycle with Toronto's Opera by Request. These formative years established Berlin Wagner Group's commitment to artistic excellence, collaboration, and innovative approaches to Wagner performance.
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2021: Expanding the Mission
In 2021, Berlin Wagner Group, Inc. was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in New Hampshire, extending its mission to audiences throughout New Hampshire and northern New England. This expansion reflected the organization's growing commitment not only to supporting Wagnerian artists, but also to increasing access to live opera in communities with limited opportunities to experience professional performances.
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2022–Present: Creating New Audiences
In the summer of 2022, Berlin Wagner Group launched its signature Snackable Wagner Series © in New Hampshire with inaugural performances in New London and Berlin. Designed as engaging, two-hour introductions to Wagner's music and stories, these innovative concerts combine exceptional artistry with storytelling, education, and humor, creating welcoming first encounters with opera for new audiences while offering fresh perspectives for longtime Wagner enthusiasts.
Since then, the Snackable Wagner Series has continued to grow, with performances in Berlin and Lebanon, New Hampshire, appearances on the PACC Concert Series in Arlington, Massachusetts, and performances at Concord Community Music School. Alongside these concerts, Berlin Wagner Group continues to develop opera projects, concert performances, and artist training opportunities in both North America and Europe.
Today, Berlin Wagner Group is recognized for re-imagining how audiences experience Wagner. By combining artistic excellence with innovative programming, community engagement, and meaningful opportunities for emerging artists, the organization is expanding access to live opera, cultivating new audiences, and ensuring that Wagner's extraordinary works remain vibrant, welcoming, and relevant for future generations.
Since then, the Snackable Wagner Series has continued to grow, with performances in Berlin and Lebanon, New Hampshire, appearances on the PACC Concert Series in Arlington, Massachusetts, and performances at Concord Community Music School. Alongside these concerts, Berlin Wagner Group continues to develop opera projects, concert performances, and artist training opportunities in both North America and Europe.
Today, Berlin Wagner Group is recognized for re-imagining how audiences experience Wagner. By combining artistic excellence with innovative programming, community engagement, and meaningful opportunities for emerging artists, the organization is expanding access to live opera, cultivating new audiences, and ensuring that Wagner's extraordinary works remain vibrant, welcoming, and relevant for future generations.
Board of Trustees for Berlin Wagner Group, Inc.*
Peter Furlong, Founder and President
Jeffrey Brody
Kathryn Southworth Lundahl
Jenny Ribeiro
Astrid Marie Lazar
Derrick Ballard
Lorraine Helvick
*Berlin Wagner Group, Inc is a US nonprofit organization and incorporated in New Hampshire as a 501(c)(3) organization.
Peter Furlong, Founder and President
Jeffrey Brody
Kathryn Southworth Lundahl
Jenny Ribeiro
Astrid Marie Lazar
Derrick Ballard
Lorraine Helvick
*Berlin Wagner Group, Inc is a US nonprofit organization and incorporated in New Hampshire as a 501(c)(3) organization.
