Daniel Barenboim has become the first honorary member in the 150-year history of the Bayreuth Festival. In a statement the famed conductor said, “Thank you to Wagner Festival for this beautiful honor and to my wonderful friends and colleagues, especially Simone Young and Waltraud Meier, for their moving tributes.” Barenboim made his Bayreuth debut in 1981 and conducted there until {…}
Daniel Barenboim has announced that he has Parkinson’s Disease. The conductor/pianist took to social media and said, “I know that many people have been concerned about my health. I have been very touched by the support I have received over the last three years. I would like to share today that I have Parkinson’s Disease. Looking ahead, I am planning {…}
The Berlin State Opera has announced a conductor change for its Nov. 25 & 26 performances. The company said, “Unfortunately, Daniel Barenboim had to cancel conducting the Abonnementkonzert tonight at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden and tomorrow night at the Philharmonie Berlin for health reasons. As General Music Director, he played a key role in shaping the Staatskapelle for more {…}
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 {…}
(Credit: © SF/Marco Borrelli) The Salzburg Festival has announced that during a benefit gala, it raised revenues exceeding 186,000 Euros. The company noted that the revenue was raised during Daniel Barenboim’s 80th birthday gala which was presented for the Daniel Barenboim Foundation. The gala was held on May 29, 2023, and featured Cecilia Bartoli, Sonya Yoncheva, Rolando Villazón, Plácido Domingo, Martha {…}
Daniel Barenboim has canceled his North American tour. Barenboim said, “It is with great regret that I need to withdraw from the Staatskapelle Berlin’s upcoming concert tour to North America and Canada. I was very much looking forward to returning to this tour, but my health simply does not allow me to undertake the strenuous transatlantic travel and the many {…}
Following the terror attacks on Israel by Hamas, Daniel Barenboim has released a statement. The conductor said, “I have followed the events of the weekend with horror and the utmost worry as I see the situation in Israel/Palestine worsening to unimaginable depths. Hamas’ attack on the Israeli civilian population is an outrageous crime, which I condemn fiercely. The death of {…}
On Sept. 15 the German-Arab Society is set to honor Maestro Daniel Barenboim for his life-long commitment to a peaceful and humanistic solution to the Middle East conflict. Barenboim will receive the 2023 Friedrich II von Hohenstaufen Prize and will showcase Salah Abdel Shafi, the Palestinian Ambassador to Austria, Slovenia, and Croatia giving a laudatory speech. The award ceremony will {…}
The Teatro alla Scala has announced a conductor change for its concerts on Feb. 15, 16, and 18, 2023. The company said, “due to family circumstances, Daniel Harding has to withdraw from conducting the concert scheduled for 15, 16, and 18 February. La Scala thanks Daniel Barenboim who made himself available to take his place, on the same dates and {…}
The Salzburg Whitsun Festival has announced its 2023 festival and it will feature a very heavy emphasis on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. “As a musician and singer, I firmly believe in the power of music and the human voice. Therefore, the Orpheus myth is naturally one of the ancient stories that fascinates me most. It heartens me when {…}
Daniel Barenboim has announced his resignation from the Staatsoper Unter den Linden as Music Director. The legendary conductor and pianist said, “unfortunately, my health has deteriorated significantly in the last year. I can no longer provide the performance that is rightly demanded of a general music director. Therefore, I ask for your understanding that I will give up this job {…}