Novoflot: Die Harmonielehre

Die Feisten

When »Die Feisten« do what they like to do best, lots of new songs tumble out of their songwriting machine: one for the forcibly shipped, involuntary concert guests who would actually rather be at the football or a heavy metal gig. Another about the best-before date of all of us: »Mein Körper und ich« (My Body and Me) shows how you can laugh about your own decay. It’s going to be funny. All the new stories in good company with the feisty hits.

Die Feisten

When the feisty ones do what they love best, lots of new songs tumble out of their songwriting machine: one for the forced, involuntary concert guests who would actually rather be at the football or a heavy metal gig. Another about the humanly best-before date: »Mein Körper und ich« shows how you can laugh at your own decline. It’s going to be funny. All the new stories in good company with the feisty hits.

Wagner: Die Walküre

Richard Wagner’s opera »Die Walküre« is a passionate exploration of big themes such as love and betrayal, loyalty and rebellion. The god Wotan wanted to rule through contracts rather than violence but, as a result of broken promises, becomes increasingly entangled in problems until blood begins to flow. Finding no solutions, Wotan finally cries: »One thing alone do I want: the end!« But his daughter Brünnhilde thwarts his plans… At the Hamburg International Music Festival, there is an opportunity to experience the opera in historical original sound for the first time under conductor Kent Nagano. At the festival, Kent Nagano is not conducting »his« orchestra, the Hamburg State Opera, but rather the Dresdner Festspielorchester, Concerto Köln and a top-class cast of soloists, who explore the playing and singing techniques of the 19th century. »More intimate tone colours, a more multi-layered and transparent sound, freed from the ballast of the centuries,« say the performers about the project, which seems to have been tailor-made for the transparent acoustics of the Elbphilharmonie Grand Hall. One of Wagner’s most famous pieces, the »Ride of the Valkyries« – famously used by director Francis Ford Coppola as background music to a helicopter attack in the anti-war film »Apocalypse Now« – thus sounds altogether different.

Joseph Haydn: Die Schöpfung

Haydn had been deeply impressed by the spectacular performances of Handel oratorios when he travelled to England in 1791. Such choirs did not exist in the Italian tradition, to which the Viennese oratorios were also rooted. Why shouldn’t he try something of this kind himself? So he brought back a libretto from England, which had probably first been presented to George Frideric Handel: John Milton’s (1608-1674) epic poem »Paradise Lost«.

Die Udo Jürgens Story

Unforgettable melodies, a unique character and an enduring oeuvre: Udo Jürgens has delighted millions of fans with his music and on his tours. In »The Udo Jürgens Story«, Gabriela Benesch and Alex Parker undertake a musical journey through Jürgen’s life – featuring hits such as »Mit 66 Jahren«, »Ich war noch niemals in New York«, »Griechischer Wein« and many more.

Kammerkonzert: Hebet die Gläser

In 2025, the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart celebrates two anniversaries: 100 years of its collection and 20 years of its new building. A special concert will commemorate these milestones, featuring composers and compositions also celebrating anniversaries in 2025, and incorporating the museum's special exhibition.

Weill: »Die Sieben Todsünden«

Mezzo-soprano Wallis Giunta, Ensemble Modern conducted by HK Gruber, and ensemble amarcord present a concert highlighting vocals. They perform a diverse program focused on modern works. Giunta sings Anna in Kurt Weill's "Seven Deadly Sins," contrasted by amarcord as her family. Gruber's direction avoids vulgarity in this social critique. Works by Schönberg, Hindemith, and Korngold round out the evening.

Wie frei ist die Kunst?

The Ensemble Modern dedicates its concert series "How Free is Art?" to the topic of artistic freedom and its limits through music and discussions. How do performing artists deal with socio-political issues? Should, must or may they express an opinion through their program selection? Tania Rubio calls for protection of natural resources in her piece while Vladimir Tarnopolski tries to appear apolitical. Iris ter Schiphorst focuses on whistleblower Julian Assange.

„Ein Lied geht um die Welt“

Schumann: Das Paradies und die Peri

Robert Schumann’s only oratorio is based on an oriental legend: the Peri, a fallen angelic being, seeks the way back to heavenly paradise. Only those who bring »heaven’s favourite gift« will open the door to heaven. The Peri travels around the world searching until she finally finds the right gift and »Eden’s gate« opens for her again. Robert Schumann learnt about the story of the fallen angel from the Irish poet Thomas Moore, who put this »oriental romance« into verse. It inspired him to write one of his most beautiful and important works, a »new genre for the concert hall, an oratorio, but not for the prayer hall – but for cheerful people«.