Composer Richard Wagner's great-granddaughter canceled a visit to Israel after the leaked trip prompted criticism over her anti-Semitic ancestor.
How it all began, via Haaretz:
The ties with the Bayreuth festival were established by the new director of the Israeli Chamber Orchestra, Austrian Jewish conductor Robeto Paternostro, who is friends with Katharina Wagner.
In an interview with Haaretz, Paternostro explained that the two thought up the idea in Frankfurt a year ago, as an act of reconciliation between the Wagner family and Israel.