Concerts with works by

Richard Wagner

Der fliegende Holländer

Senta's dreams are directed towards the sea: will the man who will free her from her restricted life at home come from there? It begins stormily; Wagner's first fully valid opera presents a grandiose, overwhelming vision of the elements already in the overture. The fate of the Flying Dutchman and the woman who is to redeem him takes place in the roar of the waves and the ocean. This "romantic opera" aims to transcend boundaries - between tradition and future music, between land and sea, between convention and revolution. The result is a thrilling drama telling the story of a young woman who refuses to submit, who puts all her stakes on one card in order to transcend her boundaries, even if it costs her her life. Production: Michael Thalheimer Stage: Olaf Altmann Costumes: Michaela Barth Lighting: Stefan Bolliger Dramaturgy: Ralf Waldschmidt Choir: Eberhard Friedrich Premiere on: 23.10.2022

Der fliegende Holländer

Senta's dreams are directed towards the sea: will the man who will free her from her restricted life at home come from there? It begins stormily; Wagner's first fully valid opera presents a grandiose, overwhelming vision of the elements already in the overture. The fate of the Flying Dutchman and the woman who is to redeem him takes place in the roar of the waves and the ocean. This "romantic opera" aims to transcend boundaries - between tradition and future music, between land and sea, between convention and revolution. The result is a thrilling drama telling the story of a young woman who refuses to submit, who puts all her stakes on one card in order to transcend her boundaries, even if it costs her her life. Production: Michael Thalheimer Stage: Olaf Altmann Costumes: Michaela Barth Lighting: Stefan Bolliger Dramaturgy: Ralf Waldschmidt Choir: Eberhard Friedrich Premiere on: 23.10.2022

Fischer, Nylund · Fauré, Wagner, Beethoven

Fischer, Nylund · Fauré, Wagner, Beethoven

Im Fluss - Liszt & Die Rheinische + Livestream

Alexandre Kantorow, winner of the 2019 Tchaikovsky Piano Competition, performs a grand romantic repertoire in Cologne. Featuring Liszt's virtuosic Piano Concerto No. 2 alongside Schumann's "Rhenish" Symphony and Wagner's rarely-heard Faust Overture.

Tristan and Isolde

Gastspiel Antwerpen

Alexandre Kantorow, winner of the 2019 Tchaikovsky Piano Competition, performs a grand romantic repertoire in Cologne. Featuring Liszt's virtuosic Piano Concerto No. 2 alongside Schumann's "Rhenish" Symphony and Wagner's rarely-heard Faust Overture.

Orchestre de Paris / Nathalie Stutzmann

After the poetry and insight brought by Emanuel Ax to Beethoven's admirable Concerto No.4, Nathalie Stutzmann takes us into the enchanted depths of Wagner's Ring, a “total art work" from which pure orchestral gems emerge.

Orchestre de Paris / Nathalie Stutzmann

After the poetry and insight brought by Emanuel Ax to Beethoven's admirable Concerto No.4, Nathalie Stutzmann takes us into the enchanted depths of Wagner's Ring, a “total art work" from which pure orchestral gems emerge.

Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra

The Copenhagen Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Christoph Gedschold, presents a profound programme: Haydn’s »Farewell Symphony« and Wagner’s »Prelude« and »Liebestod« from »Tristan und Isolde« reveal a close relationship in terms of content, as death and farewell are fundamentally related. Schumann’s 2nd Symphony is diametrically opposed to this, even though this work was composed during a period of deep crisis in the composer’s life.

DAS RHEINGOLD

"Das Rheingold" sets the stage for Wagner's tetralogy, exploring love versus power. Alberich steals the Rhinegold, Wotan builds Valhalla, and a chain of events unfolds, marked by Alberich's curse and Fafner's fratricide. The Leipzig Opera's 2013 production, conducted by Ulf Schirmer, highlighted the comedic aspects of this shortest "Ring" opera.

Symphoniker Hamburg / Sylvain Cambreling

Christoph Willibald Gluck's opera "Alceste" deeply impressed the young Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Years later, Mozart completed a symphonic trio. Franz Liszt, inspired by a drawing, revisited his symphonic poem form two decades later. Richard Wagner's "Tristan" prelude encapsulates the struggle of hopeless love.

SIEGFRIED

"Der junge Siegfried" (originally titled "The Young Siegfried") tells of Siegfried, son of Siegmund and Sieglinde, raised by the malicious Mime after his parents' deaths. This coming-of-age story sees Siegfried rebelling against Mime, who plans to use him to seize the Nibelung hoard from Fafner. Siegfried, fearless, forges a sword, slays Fafner, claims the hoard, and kills Mime. He defies Wotan, and, upon reaching Brünnhilde, forgets his mission for love. This "scherzo" blends fairytale and comedy while showcasing nature's power.

On tour with Petr Popelka

Richard Wagner / Siegfried

Performed by the musicians of Concerto Köln and the Dresdner Festspielorchester under the direction of Kent Nagano, this Siegfried is the fruit of years of research into what would be a historically informed reading of Wagner’s operas.

Hamburger Orchestergemeinschaft / Cornelia Monske / Wolf Tobias M. Müller

The Hamburger Orchestergemeinschaft e.V. has existed since 1904 and is thus the oldest amateur symphony orchestra in Hamburg. Today it performs at least two concerts a year and gives young, very talented conductors and soloists the opportunity to gain experience with orchestras and public performances in large concert halls.

Richard Wagner: Siegfried

Now he sets out into the world: Siegfried, the free hero, is to set right what Wotan, the father of the gods, messed up at the beginning of the story. Finally, part three of Wagner's "Ring of the Nibelung" can be experienced in Kent Nagano's original sound project. Siegfried grows up in the forest, reforges the sword Nothung, slays the dragon Fafner, wins from him the "Ring of the Nibelung", breaks Wotan's spear and lovingly awakens the Valkyrie Brünnhilde.

Easter Concert Vasily Petrenko Oslo Philharmonic Choir Richard Wagner

Richard Wagner (1813–1883) first encountered the story of the knight Parsifal in 1845. In the spring of 1857, he sketched an opera based on the tale, and 25 years later, on 26 July 1882, Parsifal premiered in Wagner’s own opera house in Bayreuth. The composer himself did not call Parsifal an opera, but a Bühnenweihfestspiel, a “stage-festival-play” which was exclusively performed at Bayreuth. The work has a strong spiritual dimension characterized by Wagner’s interest in Christianity, Buddhism and philosophy. Parsifal is one of the Grail brothers, the knights who protected the Holy Grail, the cup from which, according to legend, Jesus drank from at the Last Supper, and in which his blood is collected. Richard Wagner wrote the lyrics himself, loosely based on medieval verse novels. Wagner describes Parsifal’s development and spiritual growth from being an inexperienced knight to, through learning suffering and compassion, understanding the Holy Grails deeper meaning and becoming its guardian.In the third act, Parsifal becomes a redeemer for the Grail community and heals King Amfortas. The action takes place on Good Friday, which emphasizes central themes – spiritual renewal and redemption. The music is played in a concert version, i.e. without scenery or costumes.

Springtime from Vienna

Parsifal

Achim Freyer's visually powerful realization of Richard Wagner's stage festival play Parsifal is itself a fascinating synthesis of the arts. The director, stage and costume designer shows us a world of colors and symbols that emerge from the spirit of the music. Wagner's farewell to the world revolves around the central idea of compassion, compassion for other people and for nature. The use of Christian symbols mixed with Buddhist and philosophical ideas is to be understood symbolically. Wagner's last score takes us on a journey into the innermost depths of existence and musically points far into the future. Director, Set-, Costume- and Lightdesign: Achim Freyer Artistic Collaboration: Sebastian Bauer Set Design Collaboration: Moritz Nitsche Costume Design Collaboration: Petra Weikert Light Design Collaboration: Sebastian Alphons Video: Jakob Klaffs/Hugo Reis Dramaturgy: Klaus-Peter Kehr Premiere: 16.9.2017

Parsifal

Achim Freyer's visually powerful realization of Richard Wagner's stage festival play Parsifal is itself a fascinating synthesis of the arts. The director, stage and costume designer shows us a world of colors and symbols that emerge from the spirit of the music. Wagner's farewell to the world revolves around the central idea of compassion, compassion for other people and for nature. The use of Christian symbols mixed with Buddhist and philosophical ideas is to be understood symbolically. Wagner's last score takes us on a journey into the innermost depths of existence and musically points far into the future. Director, Set-, Costume- and Lightdesign: Achim Freyer Artistic Collaboration: Sebastian Bauer Set Design Collaboration: Moritz Nitsche Costume Design Collaboration: Petra Weikert Light Design Collaboration: Sebastian Alphons Video: Jakob Klaffs/Hugo Reis Dramaturgy: Klaus-Peter Kehr Premiere: 16.9.2017

Parsifal

Achim Freyer's visually powerful realization of Richard Wagner's stage festival play Parsifal is itself a fascinating synthesis of the arts. The director, stage and costume designer shows us a world of colors and symbols that emerge from the spirit of the music. Wagner's farewell to the world revolves around the central idea of compassion, compassion for other people and for nature. The use of Christian symbols mixed with Buddhist and philosophical ideas is to be understood symbolically. Wagner's last score takes us on a journey into the innermost depths of existence and musically points far into the future. Director, Set-, Costume- and Lightdesign: Achim Freyer Artistic Collaboration: Sebastian Bauer Set Design Collaboration: Moritz Nitsche Costume Design Collaboration: Petra Weikert Light Design Collaboration: Sebastian Alphons Video: Jakob Klaffs/Hugo Reis Dramaturgy: Klaus-Peter Kehr Premiere: 16.9.2017

Kam­mer­kon­zert VIII

For more than six decades, the chamber concerts by musicians from the Staatskapelle have been a constant feature of the Staatsoper programme. This season, ensembles have come together to select music from different periods, styles and cultures under the theme of ‘playing together’. On eleven dates in the Apollosaal, which with its special atmosphere is an ideal venue for chamber music and communicative interaction between players and listeners, works from the Baroque to the present day will be performed in constellations that are both exciting and harmonious, in which tangible contrasts play just as important a role as a common resonance and the balancing of opposites.

Angela Metzger

Parsifal

Achim Freyer's visually powerful realization of Richard Wagner's stage festival play Parsifal is itself a fascinating synthesis of the arts. The director, stage and costume designer shows us a world of colors and symbols that emerge from the spirit of the music. Wagner's farewell to the world revolves around the central idea of compassion, compassion for other people and for nature. The use of Christian symbols mixed with Buddhist and philosophical ideas is to be understood symbolically. Wagner's last score takes us on a journey into the innermost depths of existence and musically points far into the future. Director, Set-, Costume- and Lightdesign: Achim Freyer Artistic Collaboration: Sebastian Bauer Set Design Collaboration: Moritz Nitsche Costume Design Collaboration: Petra Weikert Light Design Collaboration: Sebastian Alphons Video: Jakob Klaffs/Hugo Reis Dramaturgy: Klaus-Peter Kehr Premiere: 16.9.2017

ON TOUR: Suntory Hall in Tokyo

With nearly 7500 concerts in more than 500 cities and 64 countries, the Bamberg Symphony regularly tours the USA, South America and Asia as cultural diplomats for Bavaria and all of Germany. Our guest appearances in Asia in particular have a long-standing tradition: the first trip to China took place in 1986, followed by a tour to Taiwan in 1990. In Japan, we have already played a total of 125 concerts on 15 tours. This year, we are travelling to Japan, Korea and Taiwan again, where in the spring of 2023 we celebrated sensational success in front of sold-out halls. However, as a travelling orchestra, we are particularly committed to minimising the environmental impact of our tours and guest performances. For this reason, our travel planning in the current season also includes several residencies with more than one concert in one place. In Taiwan and Korea, we will again stay a few days longer to present education projects on location. We are compensating for our carbon footprint with climate protection projects that have a local impact and a positive side effect on society and the environment. As we did in 2023, we will be supporting a reforestation project in Seoul.

Romantic soundscapes: Mahler Chamber Orchestra and Raphaël Pichon

Diverse tonal colours, intense emotions: These qualities characterise the music of the Romantic period. This concert with the Mahler Chamber Orchestra shows just how broad an expressive spectrum could be encompassed by works from this period. Franz Schubert is featured, with his lyrical and intriguing “Unfinished” Symphony and melancholy “Lacrimoso son io”; also on the programme are Mendelssohn's liltingly lively “Scottish”’ Symphony and Richard Wagner's Siegfried Idyll: a tender declaration of love to his wife Cosima. Raphaël Pichon, best-known for his refreshing approach to early music, conducts.

Mahler Chamber Orchestra | Raphaël Pichon

Franz Schubert considered his two-movement Symphony in B minor a complete masterpiece. However, it would become known as the "Unfinished" Symphony. French conductor Raphaël Pichon and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra celebrate Schubert alongside Mendelssohn's "Scottish" Symphony, reflecting his travels. Wagner's "Siegfried Idyll" was a birthday gift to his wife Cosima, drawing inspiration from his opera "Siegfried".

Tristan und Isolde (Tristan and Isolde)

Inspired by his romantic love for Mathilde Wesendonck, Richard Wagner created one of the most beautiful operas in music history. This season, the Hamburg State Opera revives its legendary production by Ruth Berghaus of 1988. Director: Ruth Berghaus Set Design: Hans-Dieter Schaal Costume Design: Marie-Luise Strandt Dramaturgy: Sigrid Neef Premiere: 13.03.1988

Tarmo Peltokoski

16 hours of operatic drama condensed to 75 minutes: Lorin Maazel’s ›The Ring Without Words‹ is a sort of »Wagner to go« with all the orchestra hits and leitmotifs. For newbies and dyed-in-the-wool Wagnerians. At the Bayreuth premiere of the entire »Ring« in 1876, a magic lantern was even deployed. In Kaija Saariaho’s orchestral piece of the same name as well, everything revolves around light and music. The composer incorporated sensuous sounds and iridescent colours into the work.

ON TOUR: Seoul Arts Center

With nearly 7500 concerts in more than 500 cities and 64 countries, the Bamberg Symphony regularly tours the USA, South America and Asia as cultural diplomats for Bavaria and all of Germany. Our guest appearances in Asia in particular have a long-standing tradition: the first trip to China took place in 1986, followed by a tour to Taiwan in 1990. In Japan, we have already played a total of 125 concerts on 15 tours. This year, we are travelling to Japan, Korea and Taiwan again, where in the spring of 2023 we celebrated sensational success in front of sold-out halls. However, as a travelling orchestra, we are particularly committed to minimising the environmental impact of our tours and guest performances. For this reason, our travel planning in the current season also includes several residencies with more than one concert in one place. In Taiwan and Korea, we will again stay a few days longer to present education projects on location. We are compensating for our carbon footprint with climate protection projects that have a local impact and a positive side effect on society and the environment. As we did in 2023, we will be supporting a reforestation project in Seoul.