Concerts with works by

Giacomo Puccini

Tosca

Scarpia, Rome’s chief of police, desires Tosca. Since her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, is among the government’s political enemies, Scarpia has him imprisoned. He orders Cavaradossi’s execution and hopes to force Tosca into granting him one night with her, in exchange for Cavaradossi’s release. She, however, thwarts his plans… Director: Robert Carsen Set and Costume Designer: Anthony Ward Lighting Designer: Davy Cunningham Premiere: 15.10.2000

Tosca

Scarpia, Rome’s chief of police, desires Tosca. Since her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, is among the government’s political enemies, Scarpia has him imprisoned. He orders Cavaradossi’s execution and hopes to force Tosca into granting him one night with her, in exchange for Cavaradossi’s release. She, however, thwarts his plans… Director: Robert Carsen Set and Costume Designer: Anthony Ward Lighting Designer: Davy Cunningham Premiere: 15.10.2000

La Fanciulla del West (The Girl of the West)

California in 1850: hundreds of thousands have fallen for the gold rush – and some of them also for the barkeeper Minnie, at whose saloon various fortune seekers meet every evening. Among them is Sheriff Jack Rance. Minnie, however, falls in love with the stranger Dick Johnson. It soon turns out that Johnson is a wanted robber: the sheriff wants to see him hang and have Minnie to himself. A round of poker is to decide about Dick’s life: is there yet another trump up Minnie’s sleeve? Puccini certainly held a trump with his Fanciulla, and even considered the piece his best: after world hits such as La Bohème and Madama Butterfly he had reinvented himself with this “spaghetti western”. In La Fanciulla del West, he combined ragtime rhythms, allusions to gospel singing and the music of the native Americans with Italian melodiousness, resulting in a lushly orchestrated broadband sound. This did not fail to affect the audience at the first performance at New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 1910. And yet, compared to Puccini’s major hits, the piece languished in the shadows for a long time – until the musical gold diggers set out to reclaim it… Director: Vincent Boussard Set Designer: Vincent Lemaire Costume Designer: Christian Lacroix Lighting Designer: Guido Levi Premiere: 01.02.2015

La Fanciulla del West (The Girl of the West)

California in 1850: hundreds of thousands have fallen for the gold rush – and some of them also for the barkeeper Minnie, at whose saloon various fortune seekers meet every evening. Among them is Sheriff Jack Rance. Minnie, however, falls in love with the stranger Dick Johnson. It soon turns out that Johnson is a wanted robber: the sheriff wants to see him hang and have Minnie to himself. A round of poker is to decide about Dick’s life: is there yet another trump up Minnie’s sleeve? Puccini certainly held a trump with his Fanciulla, and even considered the piece his best: after world hits such as La Bohème and Madama Butterfly he had reinvented himself with this “spaghetti western”. In La Fanciulla del West, he combined ragtime rhythms, allusions to gospel singing and the music of the native Americans with Italian melodiousness, resulting in a lushly orchestrated broadband sound. This did not fail to affect the audience at the first performance at New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 1910. And yet, compared to Puccini’s major hits, the piece languished in the shadows for a long time – until the musical gold diggers set out to reclaim it… Director: Vincent Boussard Set Designer: Vincent Lemaire Costume Designer: Christian Lacroix Lighting Designer: Guido Levi Premiere: 01.02.2015

La Fanciulla del West (The Girl of the West)

California in 1850: hundreds of thousands have fallen for the gold rush – and some of them also for the barkeeper Minnie, at whose saloon various fortune seekers meet every evening. Among them is Sheriff Jack Rance. Minnie, however, falls in love with the stranger Dick Johnson. It soon turns out that Johnson is a wanted robber: the sheriff wants to see him hang and have Minnie to himself. A round of poker is to decide about Dick’s life: is there yet another trump up Minnie’s sleeve? Puccini certainly held a trump with his Fanciulla, and even considered the piece his best: after world hits such as La Bohème and Madama Butterfly he had reinvented himself with this “spaghetti western”. In La Fanciulla del West, he combined ragtime rhythms, allusions to gospel singing and the music of the native Americans with Italian melodiousness, resulting in a lushly orchestrated broadband sound. This did not fail to affect the audience at the first performance at New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 1910. And yet, compared to Puccini’s major hits, the piece languished in the shadows for a long time – until the musical gold diggers set out to reclaim it… Director: Vincent Boussard Set Designer: Vincent Lemaire Costume Designer: Christian Lacroix Lighting Designer: Guido Levi Premiere: 01.02.2015

La Fanciulla del West (The Girl of the West)

California in 1850: hundreds of thousands have fallen for the gold rush – and some of them also for the barkeeper Minnie, at whose saloon various fortune seekers meet every evening. Among them is Sheriff Jack Rance. Minnie, however, falls in love with the stranger Dick Johnson. It soon turns out that Johnson is a wanted robber: the sheriff wants to see him hang and have Minnie to himself. A round of poker is to decide about Dick’s life: is there yet another trump up Minnie’s sleeve? Puccini certainly held a trump with his Fanciulla, and even considered the piece his best: after world hits such as La Bohème and Madama Butterfly he had reinvented himself with this “spaghetti western”. In La Fanciulla del West, he combined ragtime rhythms, allusions to gospel singing and the music of the native Americans with Italian melodiousness, resulting in a lushly orchestrated broadband sound. This did not fail to affect the audience at the first performance at New York’s Metropolitan Opera in 1910. And yet, compared to Puccini’s major hits, the piece languished in the shadows for a long time – until the musical gold diggers set out to reclaim it… Director: Vincent Boussard Set Designer: Vincent Lemaire Costume Designer: Christian Lacroix Lighting Designer: Guido Levi Premiere: 01.02.2015

TOSCA

Floria Tosca and Mario Cavaradossi are lovers. When Cavaradossi is arrested by the evil police chief Scarpia, Tosca seeks him out to secure Cavaradossi's freedom, but tragedy ensues. None of the three will see the sunset of the next day. A dark piece of opera history with Verismo influences. Recommended for ages 15+. A digital introduction is available.

Easter Festival Baden-Baden 2025

Easter Festival Baden-Baden 2025

Easter Festival Baden-Baden 2025

Concertante: Kirill Petrenko with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly”

For her it is true love, for him just an affair. Giacomo Puccini transformed John Luther Long’s 1898 story of teenaged geisha Cio-Cio-San and cavalier American naval lieutenant Pinkerton into one of the most popular operas of all time – and a commentary on colonialism that remains ripe for re-examination. His music reflects both the orientalism of his time and the sentimentality of late verismo. After leading staged performances in Baden-Baden, Kirill Petrenko presents Madama Butterfly in concert to the Berlin public. The title role will be sung by Eleonora Buratto, who was celebrated for her performance of this part at the New York’s Metropolitan Opera. Star tenor Jonathan Tetelman takes the role of Pinkerton.

Concertante: Kirill Petrenko with Puccini’s “Madama Butterfly”

For her it is true love, for him just an affair. Giacomo Puccini transformed John Luther Long’s 1898 story of teenaged geisha Cio-Cio-San and cavalier American naval lieutenant Pinkerton into one of the most popular operas of all time – and a commentary on colonialism that remains ripe for re-examination. His music reflects both the orientalism of his time and the sentimentality of late verismo. After leading staged performances in Baden-Baden, Kirill Petrenko presents Madama Butterfly in concert to the Berlin public. The title role will be sung by Eleonora Buratto, who was celebrated for her performance of this part at the New York’s Metropolitan Opera. Star tenor Jonathan Tetelman takes the role of Pinkerton.

Tosca

Scarpia, Rome’s chief of police, desires Tosca. Since her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, is among the government’s political enemies, Scarpia has him imprisoned. He orders Cavaradossi’s execution and hopes to force Tosca into granting him one night with her, in exchange for Cavaradossi’s release. She, however, thwarts his plans… Director: Robert Carsen Set and Costume Designer: Anthony Ward Lighting Designer: Davy Cunningham Premiere: 15.10.2000

Tosca

Scarpia, Rome’s chief of police, desires Tosca. Since her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, is among the government’s political enemies, Scarpia has him imprisoned. He orders Cavaradossi’s execution and hopes to force Tosca into granting him one night with her, in exchange for Cavaradossi’s release. She, however, thwarts his plans… Director: Robert Carsen Set and Costume Designer: Anthony Ward Lighting Designer: Davy Cunningham Premiere: 15.10.2000

Tosca

Scarpia, Rome’s chief of police, desires Tosca. Since her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, is among the government’s political enemies, Scarpia has him imprisoned. He orders Cavaradossi’s execution and hopes to force Tosca into granting him one night with her, in exchange for Cavaradossi’s release. She, however, thwarts his plans… Director: Robert Carsen Set and Costume Designer: Anthony Ward Lighting Designer: Davy Cunningham Premiere: 15.10.2000

Symphonic Mob – Berlins größtes Spontanorchester

How about making music together with orchestra professionals? How about experiencing the euphoria that flows through you when hundreds of people get together to make music for everyone as a joint endeavour? Anyone who’d like to can become part of the ›Symphonic Mob‹. Anyone who plays an instrument or likes to sing can participate in Berlin’s largest spontaneous orchestra – no matter whether in everyday life you play in an amateur orchestra or a big band, in a brass band, or you sing in a choir or just at home. So that as many people as possible can take part, there will be – as in the past – simplified parts you can download, in addition to the original sheet music; joint rehearsals with DSO musicians ensure optimum preparation for the big day. The conductor Catherine Larsen-Maguire will head up the eleventh ›Symphonic Mob‹. The German Youth Choir will also join in for the very first time.

Sonya Yoncheva

Sonya Yoncheva is celebrated worldwide as a star soprano. She is one of the most sought-after opera stars and performs at the most important opera houses. Whether at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Vienna State Opera, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin, the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, the Arena di Verona or the »Concert de Paris« in front of the Eiffel Tower – Sonya Yoncheva delights audiences with her incredible brilliance and warmth. Her touching, enchanting voice is unique. The star soprano can now be experienced at the Elbphilharmonie with a very special programme curated by her. Sonya Yoncheva presents the most beautiful moments of opera. She will be joined by the sought-after conductor Francesco Ciampa and the renowned Bohuslav Martinů Philharmonic Orchestra.

Jonathan Tetelman / Hamburger Camerata / Frédéric Chaslin

Voice and charisma – that is the unanimous, enthusiastic judgement of the critics when it comes to Jonathan Tetelman. »A star par excellence« is how the New York Times describes him. The Chilean-American tenor is on stage as Alfredo in »La Traviata« at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden or as Pinkerton in »Madame Butterfly« at the Metropolitan Opera and demonstrates his skills in a »dark-coloured tenor timbre« (SZ) and with »balsamic verve« (Der Tagesspiegel), while the audience listens spellbound. Jonathan Tetelman makes his Elbphilharmonie debut with a sonorous journey through the most beautiful tenor arias from the great operas of Puccini, Verdi and others.

Opera Classics: Verdi, Puccini, Bizet and Lehár

Tosca

Scarpia, Rome’s chief of police, desires Tosca. Since her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, is among the government’s political enemies, Scarpia has him imprisoned. He orders Cavaradossi’s execution and hopes to force Tosca into granting him one night with her, in exchange for Cavaradossi’s release. She, however, thwarts his plans… Director: Robert Carsen Set and Costume Designer: Anthony Ward Lighting Designer: Davy Cunningham Premiere: 15.10.2000

Tosca

Scarpia, Rome’s chief of police, desires Tosca. Since her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, is among the government’s political enemies, Scarpia has him imprisoned. He orders Cavaradossi’s execution and hopes to force Tosca into granting him one night with her, in exchange for Cavaradossi’s release. She, however, thwarts his plans… Director: Robert Carsen Set and Costume Designer: Anthony Ward Lighting Designer: Davy Cunningham Premiere: 15.10.2000

Tosca

Scarpia, Rome’s chief of police, desires Tosca. Since her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, is among the government’s political enemies, Scarpia has him imprisoned. He orders Cavaradossi’s execution and hopes to force Tosca into granting him one night with her, in exchange for Cavaradossi’s release. She, however, thwarts his plans… Director: Robert Carsen Set and Costume Designer: Anthony Ward Lighting Designer: Davy Cunningham Premiere: 15.10.2000

Tosca

Scarpia, Rome’s chief of police, desires Tosca. Since her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, is among the government’s political enemies, Scarpia has him imprisoned. He orders Cavaradossi’s execution and hopes to force Tosca into granting him one night with her, in exchange for Cavaradossi’s release. She, however, thwarts his plans… Director: Robert Carsen Set and Costume Designer: Anthony Ward Lighting Designer: Davy Cunningham Premiere: 15.10.2000

Tosca

Scarpia, Rome’s chief of police, desires Tosca. Since her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, is among the government’s political enemies, Scarpia has him imprisoned. He orders Cavaradossi’s execution and hopes to force Tosca into granting him one night with her, in exchange for Cavaradossi’s release. She, however, thwarts his plans… Director: Robert Carsen Set and Costume Designer: Anthony Ward Lighting Designer: Davy Cunningham Premiere: 15.10.2000

Tosca

Scarpia, Rome’s chief of police, desires Tosca. Since her lover, the painter Cavaradossi, is among the government’s political enemies, Scarpia has him imprisoned. He orders Cavaradossi’s execution and hopes to force Tosca into granting him one night with her, in exchange for Cavaradossi’s release. She, however, thwarts his plans… Director: Robert Carsen Set and Costume Designer: Anthony Ward Lighting Designer: Davy Cunningham Premiere: 15.10.2000

Madama Butterfly

Nagasaki, Japan, ca. 1900: Pinkerton, a lieutenant in the American navy, has fallen in love with Cio-Cio-San, also known as “Butterfly”. The Japanese ritual marriage ceremony is merely a farce to him – and shortly thereafter, Pinkerton’s “plaything” is alone again, with their child. Three years later, he returns to Japan, but not because of Butterfly. Together with his new wife, he intends to pick up the child and take it to American with him. Butterfly commits suicide. The opera’s world premiere in 1904 was a historic fiasco: the audience at Milan’s La Scala failed to understand the exotic subject. Puccini, however, believed in the piece: “My Butterfly remains what it is. It is the most emotional opera I have written!” He was right: only a few months later, an altered version of Madama Butterfly proved a rousing success when it was premiered at the Teatro Grande in Brescia. To this day, Puccini’s “tragedia giapponese” has remained one of the most popular and moving operas ever written. Director: Vincent Boussard Set Designer: Vincent Lemaire Costume Designer: Christian Lacroix Lighting Designer: Guido Levi Dramaturgy: Barbara Weigel Premiere: 11.11.2012

Madama Butterfly

Nagasaki, Japan, ca. 1900: Pinkerton, a lieutenant in the American navy, has fallen in love with Cio-Cio-San, also known as “Butterfly”. The Japanese ritual marriage ceremony is merely a farce to him – and shortly thereafter, Pinkerton’s “plaything” is alone again, with their child. Three years later, he returns to Japan, but not because of Butterfly. Together with his new wife, he intends to pick up the child and take it to American with him. Butterfly commits suicide. The opera’s world premiere in 1904 was a historic fiasco: the audience at Milan’s La Scala failed to understand the exotic subject. Puccini, however, believed in the piece: “My Butterfly remains what it is. It is the most emotional opera I have written!” He was right: only a few months later, an altered version of Madama Butterfly proved a rousing success when it was premiered at the Teatro Grande in Brescia. To this day, Puccini’s “tragedia giapponese” has remained one of the most popular and moving operas ever written. Director: Vincent Boussard Set Designer: Vincent Lemaire Costume Designer: Christian Lacroix Lighting Designer: Guido Levi Dramaturgy: Barbara Weigel Premiere: 11.11.2012

Madama Butterfly

Nagasaki, Japan, ca. 1900: Pinkerton, a lieutenant in the American navy, has fallen in love with Cio-Cio-San, also known as “Butterfly”. The Japanese ritual marriage ceremony is merely a farce to him – and shortly thereafter, Pinkerton’s “plaything” is alone again, with their child. Three years later, he returns to Japan, but not because of Butterfly. Together with his new wife, he intends to pick up the child and take it to American with him. Butterfly commits suicide. The opera’s world premiere in 1904 was a historic fiasco: the audience at Milan’s La Scala failed to understand the exotic subject. Puccini, however, believed in the piece: “My Butterfly remains what it is. It is the most emotional opera I have written!” He was right: only a few months later, an altered version of Madama Butterfly proved a rousing success when it was premiered at the Teatro Grande in Brescia. To this day, Puccini’s “tragedia giapponese” has remained one of the most popular and moving operas ever written. Director: Vincent Boussard Set Designer: Vincent Lemaire Costume Designer: Christian Lacroix Lighting Designer: Guido Levi Dramaturgy: Barbara Weigel Premiere: 11.11.2012

Madama Butterfly

Nagasaki, Japan, ca. 1900: Pinkerton, a lieutenant in the American navy, has fallen in love with Cio-Cio-San, also known as “Butterfly”. The Japanese ritual marriage ceremony is merely a farce to him – and shortly thereafter, Pinkerton’s “plaything” is alone again, with their child. Three years later, he returns to Japan, but not because of Butterfly. Together with his new wife, he intends to pick up the child and take it to American with him. Butterfly commits suicide. The opera’s world premiere in 1904 was a historic fiasco: the audience at Milan’s La Scala failed to understand the exotic subject. Puccini, however, believed in the piece: “My Butterfly remains what it is. It is the most emotional opera I have written!” He was right: only a few months later, an altered version of Madama Butterfly proved a rousing success when it was premiered at the Teatro Grande in Brescia. To this day, Puccini’s “tragedia giapponese” has remained one of the most popular and moving operas ever written. Director: Vincent Boussard Set Designer: Vincent Lemaire Costume Designer: Christian Lacroix Lighting Designer: Guido Levi Dramaturgy: Barbara Weigel Premiere: 11.11.2012