Jonas Kaufmann is an ardent film enthusiast and now, for the first time, he brings this passion to the
stage. In his new program, „The Sound of Movies,“ Kaufmann presents film music hits from 80 years of film history, featuring music from various eras and genres including Ennio Morricone, Hans Zimmer, and musical hits like “West Side Story” and “The Sound of Music.” The program offers a cinematic experience for the ears, culminating in a captivating journey through the magic of cinema.
Acclaimed pianist Víkingur Ólafsson shares his deep connection with music, from Icelandic songs to the works of Bach, Mozart, Rameau, and Philip Glass. He explores how these pieces shaped him and how his feelings differ when performing works like the Goldberg Variations or Bartok’s Folk Song. Ólafsson invites us into his world where musical knowledge, Nordic roots, and creativity merge in his interpretations.
After his acclaimed literary adaptations of »Carmen« and »Peer Gynt«, The Swedish choreographer Johan Inger now turns towards a story that has become a ballet classic in the performance canon and that represents another facet of the choreographer: “A Swan Lake”. The new production of the Semperoper Ballett asks profound questions such as: What influence do violence and manipulation have on interpersonal relationships? What role do personal freedom, respect and acceptance play in a romantic relationship?
Over two years, the film follows conductor Joana Mallwitz to the top of the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, one of Germany’s leading classical orchestras, in August 2023. As she embarks on a decisive phase of her international career with debuts in Munich, Paris, Salzburg, and Amsterdam, she and her husband have to reorganize their lives after the birth of their first child. JOANA MALLWITZ – MOMENTUM offers a candid and detailed portrait of the musician. Despite all her success, we feel the enormous pressure that the conducting profession brings with it.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
