2012/13
22 June 2013 | Reception at the première of »Hanjo«
After the premiere of Toshio Hosokawa‘s opera »Hanjo«, the members of the Friends and Sponsors were invited to an exclusive reception by the Staatsoper. The wings offered an exciting view to the scenery of the stage design. Together with the artists and artistic director Jürgen Flimm our members were able to let the season 2012/2013 fade away in this atmospheric setting. Jürgen Flimm said goodbye to everyone until the next season.
20 June 2013 | Introduction »For the disconnected child«
On occasion of the special coproduction »For the disconnected child« by the Staatsoper im Schiller Theater with the Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz, the friends’ associations of the two houses met for a conjoint introduction with director Falk Richter. In the Schaubühne’s studio, he explained the concept and the music of his project. Afterwards, we visited the performance. »For the disconnected child« combines Falk Richter’s texts with New Music made my seven different composers; Tschaikowsky’s opera »Eugen Onegin« also plays an important role. Under the musical direction of Wolfram-Maria Märtig, singers of the Staatsoper (Borjana Mateewa, Gyula Orendt, Maraike Schröter) met the Icelandic singer/songwriter Helgi Hrafn Jónsson, actors of the Schaubühne, impressing dancers and musicians of the Staatskapelle Berlin.
15 June 2013 | Charity dinner at Villa Jacobs
On 15 June 2013, our member of the board Marianne Ludes, Stefan Ludes and the Friends and Sponsors of the Staatsoper invited to a summer evening in the garden of the Villa Jacobs at the Jungfernsee.
After the guests had arrived via BMW-shuttle, they were welcomed with a glass of champagne and a performance by a brass quintet of the Staatskapelle Berlin (Christian Batzdorf: trumpet, Felix Wilde: trumpet, Thomas Jordans: horn, Martin Reinhard: trombone, Elliott Dushman: tuba). Afterwards, the guests wandered through the magnificent park of the Villa and then, Marianne Ludes invited them to the very special highlight of the evening on the Villa’s terrace: a private concert with Anna Prohaska (soprano) and Gyula Orendt (baritone), both members of the Staatsoper’s ensemble. In the unique atmosphere at the Jungfernsee, the two of them enchanted all guests with their stunning performances of arias and duets from »Don Giovanni«, »Le nozze di Figaro«, »Die Zauberflöte«, »Die tote Stadt«, »Rusalka« and »Die lustige Witwe«.
Afterwards, a festive dinner with the artists and Artistic Director Jürgen Flimm took place in the Villa’s Lindenhain.
The donations that were raised during the event made possible the project »Staatsoper for cinema pricing« where young opera fans could by opera tickets for 8,- €.
We cordially thank Marianne and Stefan Ludes who made possible this wonderful evening. We are also indebted to the artists of the evening for their commitment, to BMW for their shuttle-service as well as to all guests for their coming and for their donations.
22 May 2013 | Welcome Evening for new Members: Friends meet Friends
Attending an opera conjointly is a wonderful event, and so we invited the new members of our association to a welcome evening and a following visit of the performance »Der fliegende Holländer«. During a reception in the Theodor Heuss room, the new members got to know each other, and our longtime supporters, who were also invited, had much to tell about our association. We were especially happy about a visit by the board of the Staatskapelle Berlin: Susanne Schergaut (1st violin), who just joined our association, looks forward to joint projects. Markus Bruggaier (horn) and Thomas Jordans (horn) also took the time to welcome our members before starting for the orchestra pit. The visually stunning performance of »Der fliegende Holländer« delighted us very much on the day of Richard Wagner’s 200th birthday.
15 May 2013 | General Meeting 2013
At this year’s General Meeting, the Friends and Sponsors were happy to welcome a special surprise guest: During a moving speech, Daniel Barenboim talked about his close affinity to Berlin and about the last 50 years, which he spent in this city, as well as the last 21 years, which he spent at the Staatsoper and with the Staatskapelle Berlin. He highly appreciated the public funding of the arts, yet there were many important which could only be achieved with the help of private support. Thus, Daniel Barenboim cordially thanked the members for everything that the Friends and Sponsors had done for the Staatsoper and will yet do.
For the first time, the General Meeting took place in the Werkstatt of the Schiller Theater.
Ulrich Maas, chairman of the association, was especially happy to welcome state secretary André Schmitz. Mr. Schmitz thanked everyone who remained steadfastly at the Staatsoper’s side during these difficult times, especially Mr. Barenboim for his loyalty to Berlin as well as our association for supporting the refurbishment.
Ulrich Maas reported on the newly founded board of trustees of the association, which will play an important role for the association. The enlargement of the personnel will advance the national and international charisma. The members of the board of trustees not only perform an extended advisory function, but also support the Staatsoper as ideas provider and multiplier. He is happy that so many prestigious personalities could be enthused with one of the most renowned opera houses of the world.
Furthermore, Mr. Andreas Fibig, CEO of Bayer Pharma AG, and Dr. Gary Smith, Executive Director of the American Academy in Berlin, were elected as members of the board of our association.
Artistic director Jürgen Flimm gave a summary of the highlights of the ongoing and the upcoming season and our treasurer Dr. Hans-Jürgen Meyer presented the annual accounts of 2012. Anna Schwanhäußer, executive director of the Friends and Sponsors, presented the association’s events and upcoming projects.
After the meeting, the members had a cozy get-together during a reception in the foyer of the Werkstatt.
04 - 05 May 2013 | Spring at Neuhardenberg Castle: Concert with Elena Baschkirowa
The pianist Elena Baschkirowa is one of the most successful musicians of Russia. On May 4th, 2013, she played a piano-recital with works of Franz Liszt, Robert Schumann, Galina Ustwolskaja and Peter Tschaikowsky in the Schinkel-church in Neuhardenberg. On the occasion of this special concert, we offered our members a weekend at the wonderful Neuhardenberg Castle. After the participants had enjoyed the park of the Castle, they had dinner together and got in the mood for the following concert. The highlight was the exclusive Meet & Greet with Elena Baschkirowa, whom we met after the concert. She gave us an insight into the choice of her works and her artistry.
25 April 2013 | Presentation of the new Season 2013/14
On the day of the press conference, the members of the Friends and Sponsors got to know the new season before everyone else did. The presentation took place in the Schiller Theater. Ronny Unganz, the Staatsoper’s managing director, Isabel Ostermann, Jürgen Flimm’s personal referent, as well as the dramaturges Jens Schroth and Detlef Giese presented the upcoming programme.
02 April 2013 | Informative Meeting about the refurbishment of the opera house Unter den Linden
With a very informative, competent and committed presentation, Regula Lüscher, construction director of the Berlin Senate, personally informed our members about the state of the refurbishment works at the Opera House Unter den Linden. Marianne Ludes, our board member and executive director of Ludes Generalplaner GmbH, moderated the subsequent talk with Regula Lüscher and Ronny Unganz, managing director of the Staatsoper. Thus, our understanding of the refurbishment, individual procedures and the further planning were advanced.For our members, it was a good opportunity to get informed at first hand and to ask questions. During a subsequent reception we had the opportunity to talk more. We thank the Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA for inviting us to their representation in Berlin.
FLYER with information on the refurbishment of Staatosoper by the Senate Department for Urban Development and the Environment (in German only)
24 March - 04 April 2013 | FESTTAGE 2013: Special programme of the Friends and Sponsors
This year‘s paschal FESTTAGE at the Staatsoper Berlin were formed by Richard Wagner‘s »Der Ring des Nibelungen« as well as the concerts with the Staatskapelle Berlin and with the choir and the orchestra of the Scala Milano under the direction of Maestro Daniel Barenboim. Accompanying these extraordinary musical events, we organized a special program.
With the aid of the donations within the scope of this special program and the membership fees of our members, the Friends and Sponsors in 2013 support the performances of Wagner at the Staatsoper with 150.000 €.
03 March 2013 | Reception durin première of »Götterdämmerung«
With the premiere of »Götterdämmerung« on March 3rd, 2013, the new staging of the Ring Cycle at the Staatsoper came to a closure. The Friends and Sponsors of the Staatsoper support the performances of Richard Wagner’s »Ring des Nibelungen« with the amount of 150.000 €. At the premiere on March 3rd, our members and many guests of honour of the Staatsoper came together at a reception during the break. Marianne Ludes, member of the board of our association, and Artistic Director Jürgen Flimm, thanked the members of the Friends and Sponsors of the Staatsoper for their commitment.
We thank the Südliche Weinstraße and Lindner for the support of our receptions.
15 February 2013 | Guided tour through the exhibition »ImLicht von Amarna – 100 Jahre Fund der Nofretete«
About 100 years ago, the famous bust of Nefertiti (Nofretete) was found in the city of Tell el-Amarna. On the occasion of this anniversary, the Ägyptisches Museum and Papyrussammlung are displaying a great exhibition in the New Museum in Berlin around the bust and its rediscovery. Under very competent guidance our members had the chance to experience never shown findings as well as many international loans. Detailed information on the political and religious changes following the imposition of the monotheistic sun worship by PharaoEchnaton led to new insights regarding the Nofrete bust and the extraordinary art of the Amarna-period.
03 January 2013 | »Karl Friedrich Schinkel«: Guided tour through the exhibition
Berlin’s opera lovers hold Karl Friedrich Schinkel(1781-1841) in high regard as creator of the impressing stage design for Mozart’s »Die Zauberflöte«. But Schinkel is rightly referred to as “Prussian universal genius”: He was an architect, city planner, artist and designer. In the exhibition of the Kupferstichkabinett of the Staatliche Museen Berlin, our members were able to see the manifold aspects of his creations. About 300 exhibits gave us an extraordinary insight into the life and work of one of the most important European architects at the beginning of modernity.
07 December 2012 | 20th Anniversary of the Friends and Sponsors – Festive Performance of »La Bohème«
On December 6th 1992, on the eve of the 250th birthday of the StaatsoperUnter den Linden, a small circle of musicians, politicians and business persons came together to found the friends’ association of the StaatsoperUnter den Linden.
20 years later, on December 7th 2012, many members of the association, which nowadays counts over 1.400 Friends and Sponsors, celebrated this special anniversary at a festive performance of »La Bohème«. It was a wonderful and joyous celebration, where our members together looked back at the 20 past years. Unfortunately, our foundation chairman Hans-Dietrich Genscher wasn’t able to travel to Berlin because of the sudden snowfall at the airport.
After the guests had walked into the Schiller Theater on the red carpet, they were welcomed with sparkling wine and wine. Before the performance begun, Ulrich Maas, chairman of the association, thanked everyone for coming and for supporting the Staatsoper. Afterwards we saw the amazing production of »La Bohème« with conductor Andris Nelsons and with the fantastic singers KristineOpolais, Anna Samuil, Stephen Costello, Alfredo Daza, ArttuKataja, Jan Martiník, Michael Smallwood and Alcindoro Michael Kraus.
After the performance, our members celebrated together with guests of honour, artists and the Staatsoper’s staff at a great reception in the Gläsernes Foyer of the Schiller Theater. Artistic Director Jürgen Flimm once more welcomed all the guests and presented a very special „surprise guest“: Daniel Barenboim greeted our members via video. He himself could unfortunately not be present, as he opened the new season at the Scala Milano with »Lohengrin«.
As perfect highlight of the evening, our guests were able to get to see the singers of the »Bohème« once more very close: Anna Samuil and Michael Smallwood sang »Libiamo« from Verdi’s »La Traviata«, Stephen Costello sang Verdi’s »Quest’oquella« from the opera »Rigoletto« and Kristine Opolais enchanted the audience with »O miobabbinocaro« from Puccinis »Gianni Schicchi«. The exaltation of the listeners was rewarded by a fantastic encore byKristine Opolais and Stephen Costello with a duet of »La Bohème«. The singers were accompanied on the piano by pianist Wolfram-Maria Märtig, who afterwards provided a wonderful end of the evening by his solo play.
We cordially thank our sponsors, who were of vital importance for the success of the evening: Berliner Kindl, Gerresheim, Kofler&Kompanie, SüdlicheWeinstraße, Blumen- und Pflanzenservice Bernhard Utzschneider.
15 November 2012 | Daniel Barenboim’s 70th Birthday: The Friends and Sponsors donate a scholarship for the Musikkindergarten
For his 70th birthday, the Friends and Sponsors of the Staatsoper made Daniel Barenboim a very special present: They donated a 3-year-scholarship for one child to the Musikkindergarten Berlin e.V., which was brought into being by Mr. Barenboim. The chairman of our association, Ulrich Maas, handed him a symbolic cheque for the scholarship, about which Mr. Barenboim was very glad. Right before the handing over of the cheque, the children of the Musikkindergarten delighted Daniel Barenboim by singing for him.
07 November 2012 | Welcome evening for new Members: »Don Carlo«
At our yearly welcome evening we want to welcome all new members and offer them the opportunity to get to know other members as well as to learn particulars about our association and the Staatsoper. This year, we attended the spectecular performance of »Don Carlo« with René Pape as Philipp II together. During the break, we met for a reception in the Theodor Heuss room. Thus, new and long-time members could get to know each other and talk about their opera experiences.
21 October 2012 | Staatsoper Sunday at DussmannKulturKaufhaus
On October 21st, the DussmannKulturKaufhaus for the 6th time hosted a Shopping Sunday for the benefit of the refurbishment of the Staatsoper. For one afternoon, the KulturKaufhaus turned into a concert hall.
Knut Zimmermann, concertmaster of the second violins of the Staatskapelle Berlin, and Volker Sprenger, solo viola player at the Staatskapelle Berlin, enchanted with their interpretation of Mozart’s »Duo in G-Dur KV 423« and »Passacaglia – freinachHändel« by J. Halvorsen.
Christian Batzdorf, Felix Wilde, Rainer Auerbach and Dietrich Schmuhl played as a trumpet quartet.
The great soloists Katharina Kammerloher, Paul O’Neill and Jan Martiník elated the visitors with arias and songs by J. Strauß, G. Puccini, V. Blodek, A. Dvorák and R. Strauss. They were accompanied on the piano by Klaus Sallmann.
We cordially thank the artist, who made such a special event of this afternoon. We also especially thank the KulturKaufhausDussmann as well as all visitors and shoppers, thanks to whom the KulturKaufhausDussmann was able to donate the revenues of the day in the amount of 28.700 € to the Friends and Sponsors in favour of the Staatsoper.
12 October 2012 | Guided Tour: Construction Site Opera House Unter den Linden
Two years have passed since the Staatsoper moved to the Bismarckstraße, and in October 2012 the third season in the Schiller Theater started. The parent house Unter den Linden is meanwhile being renovated, refurbished and modernised. In September 2011, our members for the first time had the chance to get an idea of the advances of the refurbishment; now we offered once more the opportunity to return to the opera house Unter den Linden during a guided tour.
Though still some time will pass until the first sounds will be heard at the reopening, a grading room already shows how the finished interior of the will look like and makes one sense how the StaatsoperUnter den Linden will shine resplendent after the refurbishment has been completed. Our members are already looking forward to it.
13 September 2012 | Guided Tour through the Exhibition “Friederisiko” in the New Palace and Park Sanssouci
On the occasion of the 300th birthday of Friedrich II, called The Great, the ‘Foundation Prussian Castles and Gardens’ showed the exhibition “Friederisiko – Friedrich The Great” in the New Palais and Park Sanssouci, Potsdam. We got to see exhibits around the monarch and his days as well as unknown rooms in the grand castle planned by himself. Especially the hall where the walls were decorated by sea shells, crystals and marble was impressing.
31 August - 02 September 2012 | Member’s Trip to Salzburg
In summer 2012, we could, together with Discovery Fernreisen Berlin, offer our members a trip to the wonderful Salzburg festival. On August 31st, we visited the performance of G.F. Händel’s»GiulioCesare in Egitto« in the Haus für Mozart: Five hours of finest baroque opera with the stunning Cecilia Bartoli as Cleopatra.
On Saturday morning, we were able to enjoy Verdis »Messa da Requiem« in the GroßesFestspielhaus, with a quartet of soloists which right now is the pick of the bunch: AnjaHarteros, ElinaGaranca, Jonas Kaufmann and René Pape, with Daniel Barenboim as conductor and the choir and orchestra of the Scala Milano. Everyone with tickets could count himself lucky. The great expectations of the audience were more than met. Afterwards, we had a lunch in the restaurant M32 on the Mönchsberg with a dreamlike view over Salzburg and the Salzach.
On Sunday, our group took a guided tour to the most beautiful and remarkable spots of the city. In the afternoon a special highlight awaited us: During an exclusive guided tour, we could visit the stages of the Felsenreitschule, the Haus für Mozart and the GroßesFestpielhaus and took a look behind the scenes which usually is reserved for the artists.
We thank Discovery Fernreisen GmbH for the organisation and guidance in New York.