Richard Wagner of the Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, who thought the work "divinely composed", and that of the French newspaper "Le Figaro", which called the music "the dream of a lunatic". Amongst the disillusioned were Wagner's friend and disciple Friedrich Nietzsche, who, having published his eulogistic essay "Richard Wagner in Bayreuth" before the festival as part of his "Untimely Meditations", was bitterly disappointed by what he saw as Wagner's pandering to increasingly exclusivist German nationalism; his breach with Wagner began at this time. The festival firmly established Wagner as an artist of European, and indeed world, importance: attendees included Kaiser Wilhelm I,
Bavarian Blast three moral mushrooms, Max, Morrit, and Meta. It is said that to see a gnome would bring you good luck for the year to come. Every year there is a race held in connection with the Bavarian Blast. The race starts off downtown and utilizes New Ulm's 7 miles of bike paths. The run/walk has gained popularity, especial with New Ulm's "Heart of New Ulm" project. The 2009 race was won by a local who wore nothing but flaming orange shorts and his shoes. Bavarian Blast Bavarian Blast is the summer festival held every year in New Ulm, Minnesota, United