For the 2022/23 season, the Konzerthausorchester Berlin welcomed Cairo-born Fatma Said, a multi-award-winning soprano of international renown, as Artist in Residence. Said is known for the impressive diversity of her voice and repertoire: whether classical, jazz or traditional music, the young artist is well at home in many worlds. Her role as an intermediary between the musical cultures around the Mediterranean is particularly evident in the concert entitled “On the Way to Egypt”. The multi-faceted program, conducted by Alondra de la Parra, begins by looking from Egypt to the European compositional tradition and then from Western Europe to North Africa and Arabia.
BOVARY – A dance play by Christian Spuck
Christian Spuck’s first choreography as the new intendant of the Staatsballett Berlin is about the search for self-determination and showcases his choreographic signature: an interest in literary material, his love of darkly poetic imagery, as well as his ability to tell stories. “A triumph for the company, a brilliant moment of dance.” (Süddeutsche Zeitung)
Jonas Kaufmann at Arena di Verona
Experience an unforgettable gala evening with Jonas Kaufmann. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of opera and wonderful melodies. In the magical setting of the Arena di Verona, the “King of the Tenors” shows the incomparable versatility of his repertoire: from the most beautiful opera arias, including from Tosca, La Traviata and Otello, to operetta classics such as “Dein ist mein ganzes Herz” and moving songs from great film classics such as West Side Story. Jonas Kaufmann celebrates the 100th opera season in the Arena di Verona with this unique gala concert this year. And the “wonder tenor” (Le Monde) does not come alone: with Sonya Yoncheva and Ludovic Tézier, three of the world’s greatest opera stars are on stage for this very special evening.
David Garrett – ICONIC
For his open-air concert in Sicily, star violinist David Garrett has chosen a spectacular location: the ancient theater of Taormina with a view of Mount Etna. There he plays Vivaldi, Schumann, Saint-Saëns, Kreisler and many other composers in new arrangements. With his individual selection, Garrett recalls the Golden Age of violin virtuosos – artists such as Zino Francescatti, Arthur Grumiaux, Jascha Heifetz, Fritz Kreisler and Yehudi Menuhin, who delighted their audiences with such musical miniatures and encores. David Garrett is accompanied by his guitarist and arranger Franck van der Heijden, bassist Rogier van Wegberg and the “Orchestra del Teatro Vittorio Emanuele di Messina” conducted by Gianna Fratta. Special guest: Matteo Bocelli.
Cosmos Ligeti
The documentary film explores the Austrian-Hungarian composer Györgyi Ligeti, whose sound-intensive choral and orchestral works, influenced by other sciences and cultures, shaped the music of the 20th century like no other. The composer also became known by Stanley Kubrick, who used Ligeti’s compositions in the films 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, SHINING and EYES WIDE SHUT. The film aims to make the cosmos of Ligeti tangible and to get closer to the always curious and very demanding man Ligeti, who broke the boundaries of music and interpretation. In addition to many companions, Kubrick’s producer and brother-in-law Jan Harlan appears in the film alongside the pianist Cathy Krier.
Jonas Kaufmann: Christmas with Friends
For the third time, the star tenor invites viewers to „Christmas with Jonas Kaufmann“ on Christmas Eve on ZDF – this time to one of Germany‘s most traditional „Christmas regions,“ the Erzgebirge. The festively illuminated candle arches and revolving Christmas pyramids are world-famous examples of the traditional craftsmanship and carving art of this region. The magnificent St. Annenkirche church in Annaberg-Buchholz, richly decorated with works of art, is the setting for a concert with a prominent cast. In addition to top stars of classical music, artists from the pop genre spread a joyful and festive mood for the holiday with Christmas songs. In small detours, Jonas Kaufmann also lead the audience to other sights of the region, from a carving school to a historic hammer mill, from a lace-making workshop to the tunnels of a historic mine – and of course he also visits one of the major Christmas markets.
Anne-Sophie Mutter and NY Philharmonic at Kraftwerk Peenemünde
It is a special place: it was here that the Nazi regime had the rockets developed that were used to bombard London during World War II. Today, the former turbine hall is a place of remembrance and reconciliation. Anne-Sophie Mutter, the four-time Grammy Award winner and formative soloist, mentor and visionary, connects Germany and the USA like no other violinist. Her husband, the American-Jewish pianist, composer and conductor André Previn, who died in 2019, dedicated the violin concerto ‘Anne-Sophie‘ to her. It is one of his most successful works and a profound love letter full of virtuosity for a master of her instrument. Joan Tower is also dedicated to strong women. With “1920/2019” from the New York Philharmonic‘s Project 19, the young composer pays tribute to the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, which guaranteed women the right to vote and which celebrated its centenary in 2020. The New York Philharmonic also finds diversity in equality in Béla Bartók’s most successful work. His concerto for orchestra, premiered in Boston in 1944, demands brilliant solo and virtuoso performances from the orchestra. PROGRAM Previn: Violin Concerto ‘Anne Sophie‘; Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra; Tower: 1920/2019 (European premiere)
Pushing Borders
The film Set in Motion accompanies choreographers Jefta van Dinther, Milla Koistinen, and Arno Schuitemaker, who react to new beginnings after a period of stillness in works specifically put together for this film. In their performances, they represent the changeable feelings that accompany the return from isolation to closeness: from fear to overcome, from curiosity to euphoria. Carefully, they unfold a return to mutual support and trust with the unifying expressive power of contemporary dance and show how dance can also be a celebration of life and joy. The three-part work was created in cooperation with euro-scene at Kunstkraftwerk Leipzig.
Josquin des Préz – A Concert Hommage
Franco-Flemish vocal polyphony finds its culmination in the work of a man who was courted by princes and music publishers, esteemed by contemporaries such as Martin Luther and respected by fellow composers and singers like no other: Josquin des Préz, darling of the gods. In a way unmatched by others, he succeeded in merging contrapuntal arts and verbal expression, techné and ars, brain and heart. With a program of Josquin’s Masses and Motets, ensemble amarcord paid homage in the opening concert of the a cappella festival 2021 to the jubilarian whose work touched people – and aimed at eternity.
Mythos Ot(h)ello
Ot(h)ello – the most famous black theatrical hero, a reflection of 4 centuries of racism on stage. What role did black people play in the world of Shakespeare and Verdi? What influence did the colonial period have on the genesis of the play and the opera? How did the ideas of “white people” about “black people” influence their interpretation? Jonas Kaufmann and Antonio Pappano, as well as the legendary football player Jimmy Hartwig, explore the “Mythos of Ot(h)ello”.