(Credit: Monika Rittershaus) The burden of immortality Few opera houses can claim the historical authority of Munich in matters Wagnerian. It was here, after all, that “Das Rheingold” and “Die Walküre” first reached the stage, and any new Ring mounted by the Bayerische Staatsoper must inevitably negotiate not only Wagner’s score but also the immense weight of tradition. Tobias Kratzer’s {…}
Vladimir Jurowski has extended his contract with the Rundfunk Orchester und Chöre gGmbH Berlin (ROC) until 2029. In a statement, Jurowski said, “I am very happy about the renewed extension of the collaboration with the Rundfunk-Sinfonieorchester Berlin. The commitment, curiosity, and enthusiasm of the musicians has been the foundation of our wonderful joint work for years. My thanks also go {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced the extension of Vladimir Jurowski’s contract as General Music Director. The company said that Jurowski’s contract will now end at the end of the 2028-29 season. Jurowski has been the music director of the Bayerische Staatsoper since 2021 and has conducted in London, New York, Milan, and Paris. In 2024, he became King Charles III appointed {…}
(Photo: © Monika Rittershaus) “Don Giovanni” is an opera of seductions and escapes, moral wreckage and divine retribution, a shimmering mosaic of comedy, tragedy, farce, and existential dread. Yet “the mother of all operas” is also a uniquely treacherous work—at once alluring and intractable, irresistibly open yet elusive. Music’s sublimity rarely fails to connect with audiences, even in a less-than-stellar {…}
(Credit: W.Hoesl) It was particularly notable to watch Mieczyslaw Weinberg’s opera, “Die Passagieren” in Munich, even all these years after World War II. To walk the same streets where once goose-stepping Nazi soldiers rallied round Hitler and to visit the elegant, rebuilt National Theater to see an opera about the tragedy of that very subject intensified the experience. “Die Passagieren” {…}
The Bayerische Staatsoper has announced the extension of its Intendant and General Generalmusikdirektor. The company noted that Bayerische Staatsoper’s Generalmusikdirektor Vladimir Jurowski will extend his contract until 2028 with an option to renew for a further year and Intendant Serge Dorny will renew his contract until 2031. In a statement, Dorny said, “I would like to thank Minister of State Blume {…}
Vladimir Jurowski has been named Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. The Bayerische Staatsoper announced the news and noted that “Vladimir Jurowski was greeted by His Majesty King Charles III. appointed Honorary Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. We warmly congratulate you!” Jurowski was named the Music Director of the Glyndebourne Festival {…}
The Lucerne Festival has released a statement after Climate Activists from Renovate Switzerland interrupted a performance on Sept. 8. The statement by Lucerne Festival Director Michael Haefliger said, “We regret that yesterday’s concert was interrupted by ‘Renovate Switzerland’ climate activists. In general, we support standing up for environmental issues. However, we have no sympathy at all for the way the two {…}
(Credit: Karen Almond / Metropolitan Opera) One hundred and nineteen artists and conductors are signing a petition to end the war and end the boycott against boycotting Russian artists. The petition, which is signed by such prominent artists as Antonio Pappano, Mark Elder, Simon Rattle, Franz Welser-Möst, Cornelius Meister, Dmitri Tcherniakov, Barrie Kosky, Matthew Rose, Fabio Luisi, Barbara Hannigan, and {…}
Following the attack against Ukraine by the Russian government on Feb. 23, 2022, several Russian and Ukrainian artists are voicing their support for Ukraine and asking for peace. Russian soprano Olga Peretyatko took to social media and posted a picture against war and said, “God, how can I stop this?” Russian Tenor Maxim Mironov also took to his social media {…}
(Credit: Chris Christodoulou) Vladimir Jurowski has received the Royal Philharmonic Society Gold Medal, one of the highest international honors in music. The conductor received the medal on August 12 following a performance at the BBC Proms. RPS Chairman John Gilhooly gave the medal to Jurowsk at the end of a performance with the London Philharmonic Orchestra which was broadcast live on BBC {…}
