The Staatsoper Unter den Linden has named Daniel Barenboim the Honorary Member of the opera house and Honorary Chief Conductor of the Staatskapelle Berlin.

The company said, “Intendant Matthias Schulz and the orchestra board of the Staatskapelle Berlin are delighted to present their long-time former General Music Director Daniel Barenboim with a double award simultaneously and jointly: the Honorary Membership of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden and the title of Honorary Chief Conductor of the Staatskapelle Berlin. The designated Intendantin Elisabeth Sobotka and the designated General Music Director Christian Thielemann also offer their heartfelt congratulations and are delighted with this decision.”

It added, “With immense gratitude, the entire staff of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden and the musicians of the Staatskapelle Berlin reflect on the era shaped by their former General Music Director Daniel Barenboim, spanning over 30 years (from the beginning of 1992 until his resignation due to health reasons on January 31, 2023) – more than three decades of intense, fulfilling, and artistically extraordinarily collaboration with the Staatsoper Unter den Linden and the Staatskapelle Berlin. Thank you, Daniel Barenboim!”

Barenboim stepped down as Music Director in 2023 due to health reasons. Throughout his career he has performed as a pianist and conductor all over the world at every major theater in the world including the Teatro alla Scala, Metropolitan Opera, and Carnegie Hall, among others.