POSTPONED: Gluck: Iphigénie en Tauride / Thomas Hengelbrock

Gluck: Iphigénie en Tauride / Thomas Hengelbrock

Christoph Willibald Gluck wanted his operatic music to be entirely focused on the gripping depiction of the plot. In the process, he revolutionised the overly long, extravagant baroque models. He set the ancient subject matter of »Iphigénie en Tauride« – a bloodthirsty family tragedy – to music, with finely rendered character studies that portray in gripping ways their personal inner conflicts in beautiful arias. It is an ideal template for Thomas Hengelbrock and his ensembles, who have long been a fixture in European musical life with their synthesis of historically informed interpretations and high-energy music-making. He has invited one of the most moving soprano voices of our time to Hamburg for the starring role in this opera-themed concert: Gaëlle Arquez, who last dazzled as Carmen in the Elbphilharmonie. The plot offers her and the other singers ample opportunity to perform across the full range of emotions. King Agamemnon was once prepared to sacrifice his daughter Iphigénie to the goddess Diana to win the war against Troy. In return, his wife Clytemnestra kills him on his return and their son Orest avenges his father by killing his mother. Diana, however, rescued Iphigénie at the last moment and took her to the island of Tauris as her priestess. This is where Orest comes to escape from the goddesses of revenge who torment him. Iphigénie, who is supposed to sacrifice all strangers on the island to Diana, recognises her brother and, overwhelmed with forgiveness, brings the spiral of violence to an end.

Beethoven: Missa solemnis / Thomas Hengelbrock

Ludwig van Beethoven’s »Missa solemnis« is a superlative work. The technical and physical demands on the orchestra and choir as well as the conductors, who must be experienced in both fields, are tremendous – which almost predestines Thomas Hengelbrock, and his intimately familiar Balthasar Neumann Choir and Orchestra he established, for this performance. The performers are assisted by an acoustically powerful line-up of top-class soloists. »From the heart – may it return to the heart« noted Beethoven about the score of his »Missa solemnis« and considered it »the most successful of his creations«. It is the most personal confrontation with his faith and translates an understanding of God shaped by enlightenment and humanism into music. Not by chance, for instance, did it emerge at the same time as his famous Symphony No. 9 with its »Ode to Joy« – and, like this, is a plea to humanity.

Balthasar Neumann Choir & Orchestra / Thomas Hengelbrock

Coincidence or fate? No other work in music history allows this question to be discussed as emotionally as Mozart’s unfinished Requiem. Mozart died at the age of just 35 while composing the requiem mass – what sounds like the stuff of a great tragedy is a reality. But despite all the legends, one thing remains above all: Mozart’s music, which is probably one of the most moving settings of the liturgical requiem text. The wrath of God, human grief, fear and hope – Thomas Hengelbrock and his ensembles are exactly the right cast to bring all the emotions of the music to the stage. Hengelbrock precedes the famous dirge with the early Bach cantata »Christ lag in Todesbanden«. The composer was probably applying for his first organist’s post with this cantata and proves that he had mastered all the rules of the art. Following the old form of the choral cantata, the choir takes centre stage and sings movingly and powerfully about the resurrection of Jesus at Easter. In the version from 1724, Bach added a cornett and three trombones to the orchestra, providing even more goosebump-inducing moments. Death and resurrection – these central themes of Christianity are perfectly suited to the time around the last Sunday before Advent (Sunday in commemoration of the dead) at the end of November. On period instruments and with their characteristic tonal fusion between choir and orchestra, the Balthasar Neumann Choir and Orchestra, complemented by outstanding vocal soloists for Mozart’s Requiem, trace the spirituality of the overwhelming music.

Thomas Hengelbrock & Brahms 1 & 2

Unfortunately, Herbert Blomstedt had to cancel his Brahms cycle due to illness. Now we will experience the complete programme of the four symphonies with two different guests on the podium. Thomas Hengelbrock, who has already realised many exciting programmes with the BRSO, will conduct the first part with Symphonies No. 1 and No. 2. Brahms’ struggle for his first symphonic work, which the scrupulous composer only presented to the public at the age of 43, is legendary. In line with the high expectations, Brahms finally presented a monumental work with a serious, pathetically coloured mood with his C minor Symphony. After that the Second Symphony in D major followed just one year later, which has a completely different character: Due to its cheerful, idyllic tone, it was also referred to as Brahms’ “Pastoral”.

Thomas Hengelbrock & Brahms 1 & 2

Unfortunately, Herbert Blomstedt had to cancel his Brahms cycle due to illness. Now we will experience the complete programme of the four symphonies with two different guests on the podium. Thomas Hengelbrock, who has already realised many exciting programmes with the BRSO, will conduct the first part with Symphonies No. 1 and No. 2. Brahms’ struggle for his first symphonic work, which the scrupulous composer only presented to the public at the age of 43, is legendary. In line with the high expectations, Brahms finally presented a monumental work with a serious, pathetically coloured mood with his C minor Symphony. After that the Second Symphony in D major followed just one year later, which has a completely different character: Due to its cheerful, idyllic tone, it was also referred to as Brahms’ “Pastoral”.

Thomas Hengelbrock & Brahms 1 & 2

Unfortunately, Herbert Blomstedt had to cancel his Brahms cycle due to illness. Now we will experience the complete programme of the four symphonies with two different guests on the podium. Thomas Hengelbrock, who has already realised many exciting programmes with the BRSO, will conduct the first part with Symphonies No. 1 and No. 2. Brahms’ struggle for his first symphonic work, which the scrupulous composer only presented to the public at the age of 43, is legendary. In line with the high expectations, Brahms finally presented a monumental work with a serious, pathetically coloured mood with his C minor Symphony. After that the Second Symphony in D major followed just one year later, which has a completely different character: Due to its cheerful, idyllic tone, it was also referred to as Brahms’ “Pastoral”.

Gluck: Orfeo ed Euridice / Cecilia Bartoli

With a voice whose beauty, range and agility seem to know no bounds, Cecilia Bartoli is one of the undisputed world leaders in singing. She also has an almost magnetic stage presence and a charisma that not only thrills classical music fans. No wonder she enjoys a legendary reputation, especially on the opera stage. In addition to Bartoli’s stage career, the mezzo-soprano also devotes herself time and again to special projects. She brings one of these to the Elbphilharmonie for ProArte: Christoph Willibald Gluck’s grandiose opera »Orfeo ed Euridice« in a rarely performed later version. At her side: the Musiciens du Prince of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo under the direction of Gianluca Capuano and the outstanding choir Il Canto di Orfeo. A feast for the eyes and ears guaranteed!

Thomas Hengelbrock, Balthasar-Neumann-Chor & -Orchester

Beethoven's 9th Symphony and Missa Solemnis are monumental compositions. The Missa Solemnis, commissioned for Archduke Rudolph's enthronement, became a deeply personal exploration of faith for Beethoven. Its scale and complexity exceeded its original purpose, making it suitable for concert halls rather than solely churches. The Balthasar-Neumann Ensemble, known for their Freiburg performances, will tackle this challenging work under Thomas Hengelbrock's direction, featuring a renowned soloist quartet including Gabriel Rollinson replacing Domen Krizaj.

Atelier en famille - Boléro - En rythme

Boléro - En rythme

Everyone is invited to keep up the tempo with this concert that's as rich as it is unbridled! A joyful introduction to rhythm and movement thanks to musicians from the Orchestre de Paris, the Youth Choir and body percussion.