Wahnfriedstrasse 9
Tel. (0921) 516 64 88
Open: Sep-
Jun: 10am- 12pm, 2- 5pm daily
Jul- Aug: 10am- 5pm daily
The Franz Liszt Museum (Franz-Liszt-Museum) in Bayreuth is a
dedicated institution honoring the life, work, and legacy of the
renowned Hungarian composer, pianist, and conductor Franz Liszt
(1811–1886). As the only museum in Bayreuth focused solely on
Liszt, it provides an intimate exploration of his personal and
professional journey, with a particular emphasis on his
connections to the city, including his final days and death
there. Housed in the historic building where Liszt passed away,
the museum draws from a core collection acquired in 1988,
offering visitors a blend of artifacts, documents, and
multimedia elements. It attracts music enthusiasts, historians,
and tourists interested in Bayreuth's rich cultural heritage,
especially its ties to Richard Wagner, Liszt's son-in-law. The
museum is small but densely packed, making it ideal for a
concise yet insightful visit, typically lasting about an hour.
With an overall visitor rating of 4.2 out of 5 on platforms like
Tripadvisor, it's praised for its enlightening content and low
cost, though some note language barriers in exhibits.
Franz Liszt's association with Bayreuth stems from his family ties to Richard Wagner, whose daughter Cosima was Liszt's own daughter. Liszt visited Bayreuth frequently, particularly for the Bayreuth Festival, which Wagner founded. In July 1886, already gravely ill, Liszt stayed in the house at Wahnfriedstraße 9, adjacent to Villa Wahnfried (Wagner's residence), during the opera festival. He died in this house on the night of July 31 to August 1, 1886, with Cosima present. He was buried on August 3, 1886, at Bayreuth's city cemetery. The museum's origins trace back to the acquisition of the Liszt collection assembled by Munich pianist Ernst Burger, purchased by the city of Bayreuth in 1988. The house, formerly the residence of a forest ranger, was transformed into the Franz Liszt Museum and opened to the public in 1993. This setup complements Bayreuth's Wagner-centric sites, providing a fuller picture of the era's musical luminaries. The collection was professionally documented and digitized in 2009, with an online catalog launched in 2011 for Liszt's 200th birthday.
The museum is situated at Wahnfriedstraße 9, 95444 Bayreuth, in a modest historic building that served as Liszt's final residence. This structure, originally the home of a forest ranger, features a simple yet evocative design with period-appropriate interiors that evoke the late 19th century. The layout is compact, spanning one floor with narrow rooms that guide visitors through Liszt's life chronologically. Key highlights include access to the room where Liszt died, preserved with informational displays about his last days. The location is highly convenient, directly next to Villa Wahnfried (now the Richard Wagner Museum), in Bayreuth's cultural heart. Nearby attractions include the Margravial Opera House (a UNESCO site), the Jean Paul Museum, and the Masonic Museum, making it part of a walkable historical district. Additional Liszt-related sites in Bayreuth include his tomb at the city cemetery and a bust by sculptor Arno Breker in the park near the Festspielhaus (Festival Theater), paired with a Wagner bust by the same artist.
The museum's core collection is derived from Ernst Burger's assemblage, featuring a chronological narrative of Liszt's life divided into key stages. Exhibits include portraits, photographs, manuscripts, documents detailing his career and personal story, and various instruments. Interactive elements, such as a "Piano Hero" game for testing piano skills, add engagement, though some have been reported as occasionally out of order. Visitors can request to listen to recordings of Liszt's music, enhancing the auditory experience. The displays emphasize Liszt's virtuosity as a pianist, his compositions, conducting career, and family connections, including his role in supporting Wagner's festivals. The exhibition is housed in a series of rooms, with the death room serving as a poignant focal point, complete with details on his final illness and passing. For those unable to visit in person, an online catalog (launched in 2011) provides access to digitized items, including high-quality photographs of pictures and three-dimensional objects, along with bibliographic details. Manuscripts, books, and notes are planned for future online inclusion.
Several items stand out for their historical and personal
significance:
Manuscripts and Documents: Original scores and letters
that illuminate Liszt's creative process and correspondences.
Portraits and Photographs: A series depicting Liszt at various life
stages, including works that capture his charismatic persona.
Personal Utensils and Objects: Items from Liszt's possession, such as
everyday belongings that offer a glimpse into his private life.
Instruments: Displays of pianos and related memorabilia, highlighting
his revolutionary piano techniques.
While not in the main museum,
related notable artifacts include Liszt's original 1873 grand piano at
the nearby Steingraeber & Söhne piano manufacturer (in the rococo hall),
where he performed and which still hosts concerts, and the largest
collection of his historical recordings at Steingraeber Haus, divided
into nine life periods starting from 1843.