State Opera Unter den Linden
Thielemann follows Barenboim in Berlin
Conductor Christian Thielemann and the Vienna Philharmonic at the New Year’s Concert 2019. Photo
© Herbert Neubauer/APA/dpa
Since Daniel Barenboim fell ill, his name has been mentioned. Now the conductor Christian Thielemann will be general music director at the Berlin State Opera Unter den Linden. But there are obstacles.
He was already considered a successor when his predecessor was still in office: Christian Thielemann becomes general music director at the Berlin State Opera Unter den Linden. The 64-year-old succeeds Daniel Barenboim, who had to give up the position at the beginning of the year due to illness. Thielemann will take over the office for the 2024/2025 season, as Berlin’s Senator for Culture Joe Chialo (CDU) announced on Wednesday.
However, Thielemann begins his five-year contract with an already busy schedule. He repeatedly stated that he wanted to fulfill his contracts. For the first season, for example, only one opera premiere is planned. According to Thielemann, the close collaboration with the orchestra that is desired will only be possible in 2025/26. The aim is then around 20 opera evenings. The symphonic program should also be further developed. “The orchestra should play everything – from the Christmas oratorio to the happening,” said the future general music director.
This means that one of Berlin’s three major operas will initially remain without artistic excellence. The house’s personal responsibility is therefore needed, said director Matthias Schulz, who is leaving at the end of this season and is going to Zurich. Elisabeth Sobotka will take over as director in 2024. The 57-year-old, previously head of the Bregenz Festival, was opera director from 2002 to 2007.
Celebrated with ovations
Sobotka described Thielemann as the “logical successor” to Barenboim. The two have known each other for decades; Thielemann was once Barenboim’s assistant. “I have been at the head of these very special musical institutions for over thirty years and I am sure that under the leadership of Christian Thielemann they will continue to maintain and expand their exceptional position in Berlin and international musical life,” said Barenboim in a statement about the work read out by Chialo with State Opera and State Orchestra.
Most recently, Thielemann, who lives in Potsdam, stepped in at the conductor’s podium twice when Barenboim was unable to conduct the Wagner cycle “The Ring of the Nibelung” at the State Opera, which had been staged especially for his 80th birthday, due to health reasons. Thielemann received an ovation from the audience for his conducting, and the orchestra was also visibly impressed. Thielemann described the beginning of his first rehearsal with the Staatskapelle as a “magical moment”.
The Berlin native, who is considered a specialist in Wagner and the late Romantics, among other things, still has a contract with the Staatskapelle Dresden that runs until 2024. The internationally acclaimed conductor was previously artistic director of the Easter Festival in Salzburg and music director of the Bayreuth Festival. Thielemann has also been general music director of the Deutsche Oper Berlin and the Munich Philharmonic, among others. He also conducted the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras.
Always criticism of the leadership style
But the decision for Thielemann is also seen as a risk. Thielemann is sometimes considered difficult and his leadership style has been repeatedly criticized. He sometimes reacted skeptically to innovations in Bayreuth, for example. He now says that he doesn’t want to play off tradition against the new that grows out of tradition.
Thielemann now sees himself “no longer in fighting mode, but in collaboration mode.” He always likes to listen, only together can we achieve a common achievement. “I’m becoming more tolerant and curious as I get older.”
The 80-year-old Barenboim took over the Staatskapelle in 1992 as general music director of the Unter den Linden State Opera. His opera contract was originally supposed to run until 2027. He gave up his musical directorship at the State Opera at the beginning of the year due to health reasons. In 2000, the Staatskapelle elected him chief conductor for life – this is now only considered an honorary position.