2024/25

23 July 2025 | Summer Party

To mark the end of the season, the Friends’ Association and the Berliner Sparkasse invited our members to a summer celebration at Lake Wannsee. Despite the grey skies, spirits remained high, and the unique setting of the Sparkasse’s event venue created a very special atmosphere from the outset. Following the many artistic highlights of the season, the Salonorchester “Unter’n Linden”, together with soprano Narine Yeghiyan, provided another memorable musical experience. With lively interpretations of well-known gems from the traditional coffee-house repertoire, the musicians delighted the audience and created a cheerful, summery atmosphere. Following the concert, guests gathered for a reception with refreshing drinks, while a generous buffet provided the culinary finishing touch. In a relaxed atmosphere, our members enjoyed lively conversations and the opportunity to spend time together. The evening was a wonderful conclusion to the 2024/25 season and one that will certainly remain in our memories for a long time. Our special thanks go to Berliner Sparkasse for its generous support, warm hospitality and for making this wonderful celebration possible!

12 July 2025 | OpernSalon to Die schweigsame Frau

A true first for the Staatsoper Unter den Linden: for the first time in its history, the house presented Richard Strauss’s comedy Die schweigsame Frau – a late and multifaceted work by the Staatsoper’s former Music Director.
Ahead of the premiere, the OpernSalon offered members of the Friends & Supporters and other guests of the Staatsoper an in-depth yet entertaining introduction to this musically and dramatically surprising opera. Elias Corrinth, a highly experienced guide to the works of Strauss and Wagner, led the evening with great insight and enthusiasm. At the piano and in conversation, he brought the work’s remarkable stylistic diversity to life – from Romantic lyricism and English Renaissance music to burlesque parodies of bel canto.
Particularly fascinating was his detailed exploration of the opera’s musical structure and the intricate network of leitmotifs with which Strauss enriches Stefan Zweig’s libretto. The evening also addressed the work’s historical context and underlying themes, including the dark circumstances of its creation as well as ideas of withdrawal, loneliness and concealed identity.
An inspiring evening that whetted our appetite for the premiere – and once again demonstrated just how rewarding close listening can be!

26 to 29 June 2025 | Trip to Vienna

From 26 to 29 June 2025, the Friends & Supporters of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden immersed themselves in the musical soul of Vienna – a city where music history comes alive, resonates around every corner and is reflected in magnificent surroundings.
The elegant starting point for our stay was the legendary Hotel Sacher, a place steeped in history, elegance and Viennese charm. From there, we embarked on a journey that took us far beyond the city’s famous landmarks: through picturesque neighbourhoods such as the Spittelberg, along the winding streets of the historic centre and, ultimately, into the very heart of Vienna’s musical tradition.
One of the first highlights was a visit to the Vienna State Opera, where we experienced Tchaikovsky’s moving The Queen of Spades in Vera Nemirova’s production. Under the musical direction of young conductor Timur Zangiev, the ensemble brought the opera’s powerful interplay of obsession, love and fate vividly to life. International stars including Anna Netrebko as Lisa, Yusif Eyvazov as Hermann and Elena Zaremba as the Countess delivered an evening of great emotion and enthusiastic applause.
The following day, a musical and literary tour of Vienna took us to places associated with great composers such as Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss. Among them was the atmospheric Beethoven Museum in Heiligenstadt, offering a particularly personal encounter with the composer and his life.
The grand finale of our journey awaited us that evening in the magnificent Golden Hall of the Musikverein. The Staatskapelle Berlin, conducted by Christian Thielemann, first performed a selection of exquisite orchestral songs by Richard Strauss, interpreted by the brilliant soprano Erin Morley. This was followed by a deeply impressive performance of Bruckner’s Symphony No. 6 in A major – a monumental musical experience and a fitting conclusion to our time in Vienna.
Accompanied by culinary delights, wonderful company and many memorable moments, this journey was truly a feast for all the senses.
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us – we look forward to our next musical adventure together!

14 & 23 June 2025 | Musikfestspiele Potsdam

Premiere Orlando Generoso

At the Musikfestspiele Potsdam, our members had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of Baroque music. In the impressive setting of the Orangery Palace in Potsdam, we attended the premiere of Orlando Generoso – an evening filled with striking images and captivating music despite the stormy weather.

Italian Night

On a warm summer evening at Potsdam’s Alter Markt, our young members were taken on a musical journey through the Baroque soundscapes of Italy by Ensemble 1700 and Dorothee Oberlinger.

13 June 2025 | General Assembly

Our Annual General Meeting took place on 13 June. We were delighted to welcome so many of our members and greatly appreciated the lively and constructive exchange on current developments and future plans. Once again, elections to the Board were also on the agenda. We are very pleased to welcome Filip Dames as a new member of the Board and look forward to working with him.

23 to 25 May 2025 | International Opera Weekend

Once again, young opera enthusiasts from around the world came together in Berlin to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of opera. From the first note to the final curtain, it was a weekend filled with memorable experiences that will resonate for a long time to come.
The weekend began on Friday, 23 May, with a moving performance of Winterreise. Together with tenor Thomas Blanelle, the Staatsballett Berlin created unforgettable images on stage. Afterwards, we rounded off our first evening together at the Baret Bar, enjoying its breathtaking views over the city.
Our second day began with a gallery tour through the west of Berlin. From photography and painting to sculpture, a sunny walk through the city offered fascinating insights into Berlin’s diverse art scene. Before attending an emotional and beautiful performance of Romeo & Juliette in the evening, we met for an early dinner at Goodtime Berlin. We concluded the evening together at the Staatsoper’s Intendanzgebäude.
The third and final day was no less eventful. Despite grey skies and light showers, we started the day with a relaxed brunch at Spreegold Bikini. In the afternoon, a guided tour of the Staatsoper gave us a closer look behind the scenes and deeper insights into the workings of the opera house. Stepping onto the stage and into the set offered the unique opportunity to see the auditorium from the artists’ perspective – and gave us a first taste of the remarkable performance of Il Trovatore that awaited us afterwards.
Finally, in the special atmosphere of the Kink Bar, we looked back on the many unforgettable impressions of the past three days and brought an intensive yet inspiring opera weekend to a wonderful close.

14 April 2025 | OpernSalon to Parsifal

Wagner’s final stage work was the focus of our OpernSalon in April. Bearing the somewhat grandiose subtitle Bühnenweihfestspiel, the work was, according to the composer’s wishes, never to be performed outside Bayreuth. Elias Corrinth explored the mysteries surrounding Parsifal and introduced us not only to its plot and characters, but also to the opera’s leitmotifs and musical structure through examples at the piano. The programme ranged from the discovery of slowness and Wagner as a “church councillor”, a main character without a leitmotif, the wine list of the Holy Grail, Parsifal vs. Arindal, Buddhism on Good Friday – and much more.

27 March 2025 | Season Presentation 2025/2026

27 March 2025 | Masterclass with Camilla Nylund and the International Opera Studio

On 27 March, the International Opera Studio of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden had the special opportunity to work with internationally acclaimed soprano Camilla Nylund. The masterclass focused not only on vocal technique, but also on the deeper interpretation and emotional expression of the repertoire. The young artists worked particularly intensively on compositions by Richard Strauss. Camilla Nylund offered valuable guidance on character development and musical expression, tailoring her approach to each individual voice. The International Opera Studio is supported by the Friends & Supporters, making it all the more rewarding for us to accompany this special masterclass and witness the impressive artistic development of these young talents.

13 March 2025 | ZwischenTöne with Ludovic Tézier

On 13 March, we welcomed renowned baritone Ludovic Tézier for another edition of our ZwischenTöne series, in conversation with Dr Detlef Giese, Chief Dramaturg of the Staatsoper. Tézier spoke about his early fascination with opera. His first operatic experience was Parsifal at the age of 13 – an encounter that left a lasting impression and instilled in him a deep respect for Wagner’s works. He also offered fascinating insights into his approach to performing. Tézier explained that he draws on his own emotions when developing a character, believing that singers can only truly embody a role if they can relate, at least to some extent, to the emotions of the person they are portraying. For this reason, he chooses not to take on roles with which he feels unable to identify. From 21 March, Tézier will appear in the title role of Simon Boccanegra, last performed at the Staatsoper in 2009. Although the production remains the same, Tézier explained that he and his colleagues are creating their roles anew, drawing on their own emotions and experiences. He also recalled being asked in an earlier interview whether he regretted that his character had no aria of his own. His humorous response: “Why? I have one single aria that begins at the start of the opera and ends at the very end.”

Tézier also shared his thoughts on the future of opera, comparing the art form to a ship that is currently listing. For him, families have a crucial role to play in setting it back on course: opera can only remain vibrant if younger generations encounter it from an early age. Parents and grandparents, he argued, therefore have an important responsibility to introduce their children and grandchildren to this art form. 
To conclude, Tézier expressed how much he was looking forward to welcoming audiences to his upcoming performances.

19 Febuary 2025 | A Wunderharfe for the Staatskapelle Berlin

Thanks to the generous donations of our members, the Staatskapelle Berlin was able to acquire a new harp. To express our gratitude, we invited all supporters to a special concert in the Apollosaal, where the new instrument was officially presented and its remarkable range of sound showcased. Hosted by Detlef Giese, the evening featured a varied programme in which harpist Stephen Fitzpatrick and violinist Andreas Jentzsch demonstrated the versatility of the harp across different styles and settings.

3 December 2024 & 14 January 2025 | Monet and the Impressionist City

We had the great pleasure of visiting the impressive exhibition Monet and the Impressionist City at the Alte Nationalgalerie on several occasions. Our wonderful guide Thomas Hoffmann led us through the exhibition with his remarkable expertise and infectious enthusiasm, making each of our visits a truly special experience.

For the first time since their creation, the exhibition brought together in Europe Claude Monet’s earliest views of Paris from 1867, considered the first Impressionist cityscapes. Hoffmann’s insightful explanations highlighted not only Monet’s radically new perspective on the modern city, but also his influence on subsequent artists such as Gustave Caillebotte and Camille Pissarro. A particular highlight was the reunion of Monet’s three famous city views, complemented by around 20 further works documenting the emergence of the city as a new artistic subject. Thanks to Thomas Hoffmann’s lively and knowledgeable guidance, our visits became truly memorable experiences.

17 December 2024 | LINDEN-Dinner with Christian Thielemann

15 December 2024 | Apollos Visit to the fritzen

On 15 December 2024, the Apollos joined the fritzen (Young Friends of the Prussian Palaces and Gardens) for a visit to the Schlosstheater Potsdam. The programme included an informal discussion with recorder player, conductor and festival director Dorothee Oberlinger, as well as a live demonstration on the recorder showcasing the theatre’s unique acoustics. From 2025 onwards, the theatre will enter a several-year period of “renovation slumber” as it undergoes extensive refurbishment.

7 December 2024 | Advent Concert

This years Advent Concert was a wonderful and memorable finale to our year together. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us in such great numbers. We are deeply grateful for your loyalty, support and generous contributions, especially at a time when such commitment cannot be taken for granted. We hope you enjoyed this festive Advent morning, with works by Bruckner and Mozart, as well as the special atmosphere of the Apollosaal. Our sincere thanks also go to the Staatskapelle Berlin’s Tilia Quartet, who performed as a quintet and delighted us with their wonderful playing. We very much look forward to sharing many more special moments with you in the new year!

25 November 2024 | Preview of the Winter Auction at Grisebach

The exclusive preview at Villa Grisebach offered a fascinating glimpse at the highlights of the upcoming winter auction. Works by artists including Beckmann, Picasso and Nolde were presented, among them Beckmann’s Quappi mit grünem Sonnenschirm, which sold for €5.4 million. A particular rarity was a page from Caspar David Friedrich’s sketchbook.

19 November 2024 | Tour of Bühnenservice Berlin

A guided tour of the impressive Bühnenservice Berlin workshops offered fascinating insights into the creative processes behind the scenes. From metalworking to costume production, the Bühnenservice provides 25,000 square metres of space and infrastructure to bring the visions of set and costume designers to life.

14 to 18 November 2024 | Trip to Vienna & the Janáček Festival Brno

You can find a short travel report about our musical and cultural journey of discovery to Vienna, Brno and Olomouc by clicking on the photo.

29 October 2024 | OpernSalon to Die Frau ohne Schatten

Another fascinating evening with Elias Corrinth explored the challenges surrounding the creation of Richard Strauss’s Die Frau ohne Schatten. Due to the circumstances of the war, composer and librettist were forced to improvise, leaving some passages preserved only in musical form, without the corresponding text. The analysis of leitmotifs and musical structures offered impressive insights into the work’s complex psychology. Historical cuts to the score were also critically examined, revealing how they can at times limit the depth and development of the characters.

17 October 2024 | ZwischenTöne with the Directors of the Staatsopernchor

The ZwischenTöne series featured a fascinating conversation with Dani Juris and Gerhard Polifka, the directors of the Staatsopernchor. Both shared insights into their personal journeys and the passion for music that has shaped their careers.

Dani Juris, who knew from an early age that he wanted to become a musician, grew up in a musical family with two pianist parents. Choral music played an important role in his childhood, particularly through his time with the Cathedral Choir in Helsinki, where he sang works by Bach, Schütz and Mendelssohn. While studying, he founded a choir in Helsinki and developed an even deeper connection with opera, a genre that had always fascinated him. Gerhard Polifka also spoke about his long-standing desire to pursue a career in music. A formative influence was the Klassik für Kids cassette series by Justus Frantz, which his aunt gave him as a child. Although he came from a family of teachers and initially studied music education, he eventually followed his passion and specialised in orchestral conducting. With its 86 members, the Staatsopernchor places considerable demands on its singers, making it particularly important to distribute the workload evenly. Despite these challenges, the ensemble is characterised by an exceptional enthusiasm for performing and a deep passion for music, as both chorus directors emphasised. Language coaching is also a key part of the chorus’s work. Alongside languages such as French, Italian and English, less familiar languages such as Czech are sometimes rehearsed syllable by syllable. Both directors stressed the importance of sound and intonation in their work. Even familiar repertoire is continually refined and perfected. A clear concept of the desired sound is essential and must be internalised by every singer in order for the chorus to sound “as one”. It is this combination of technical precision, intensive rehearsal and the singers’ passion that makes the Staatsopernchor such an exceptional ensemble.

This edition of ZwischenTöne thus offered not only fascinating insights into the careers of two inspiring chorus directors, but also a closer look at the particular challenges and distinctive qualities of choral work at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden.

13 October 2024 | Sunday Shopping Event at Dussmann

On 13 October, another inspiring Sunday Shopping Event at Dussmann – Das KulturKaufhaus took place in support of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden. The day offered visitors the opportunity to experience the interplay of literature, music and opera in a relaxed atmosphere. The exchange between artists and audiences was at the heart of the event: Igor Levit gave a taste of his artistry while presenting his new album Brahms with Christian Thielemann. Musicians of the Staatskapelle Berlin, artists from the Orchestra Academy and the International Opera Studio, as well as the Apollo Choir, provided a varied musical programme throughout the day, offering insights into the current season and their work at one of Germany’s leading cultural institutions.