In April, Staatsoper Berlin Intendant Matthias Schulz and the orchestra board of the Staatskapelle Berlin named Daniel Barenboim Honorary Member of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden and Honorary Chief Conductor of the Staatskapelle Berlin. Artistic director Elisabeth Sobotka and music director Christian Thielemann joined Schulz and the orchestra board in extending their warmest congratulations to Maestro Barenboim, who served as the opera house’s music director for thirty years before stepping down in 2023 due to health reasons.
Said Schulz:
“Daniel Barenboim is one of the greatest musicians of our time. What he has achieved not only for the Staatskapelle Berlin, but also for the institution of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, the city of Berlin and the music world over 30 years, is more than impressive. As general music director, he has always advocated the combination of opera and concerts and has advocated for the interaction of these artistic areas. That’s why we decided together that Daniel Barenboim should receive a double honor. The Staatsoper Unter den Linden and the Staatskapelle Berlin say: Thank you, Daniel Barenboim! Thank you for the time together, the common path and a common history, the meaning of which will only gradually be fully understood.”
Barenboim added:
“The gesture of this double award fills me with happiness and gratitude, especially the title of Honorary Chief Conductor honors and touches me very much. It is with great pleasure that I accept both honors! For over 30 years, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden was my musical home, and the musicians of the Staatskapelle Berlin were my musical family. Together we experienced great musical moments in opera and concerts in Berlin and on podiums around the world. I look back with gratitude and fulfillment on 30 years of making music together and remain warmly connected to the State Opera.”
Read the full press release here.
Interview: The Times UK
New “Musical Moments” Release with DG