In its short history, the Bayreuth Baroque Opera Festival has established itself as an exclusive event for early music. Despite ticket prices reaching over 300 euros in the top category, it enjoys wide popularity. One reason is its focus on rarely heard Italian musical dramas of the 17th and 18th centuries. Perhaps the strongest reason, however, is the artistic vision of festival director Max Emanuel Cencic, who shines both as a director and as the singer he first became known as.