28 to 30 June 2019 | 13th International Opera Weekend Berlin
In June, we invited young friends of the opera from all over Europe to Berlin in order to celebrate the 13th International Opera Weekend. The young participants had the opportunity to see two musical highlights of the Staatsoper on one weekend: »Tristan und Isolde« and »Rigoletto«. As an addition for everyone wo just cannot get enough, Sasha Waltz‘ three-act ballet »Sacre« could be seen as well on the third evening!
3 June 2019 | General assembly 2019
At this year's general assembly we discussed the reports of the year 2018 as well as current developments and projects of the Staatsoper and the Förderverein. It was especially nice that members of the Orchestra Academy gave us a taste of their skills as a thank you for your commitment. After the assembly, we rounded off the evening traditionally with a drink in the inner courtyard of the directorship’s building.
25 May 2019 | A Walk at the Lietzensee
As she does every spring, Ingeborg Fischbeck, our honorary employee, invited the Freunde und Förderer to her beloved historically inspired walks. This time, it took place in Charlottenburg namely around the Lietzensee, which lies amidst of a stunning park. The especially lovely design of the park is due to Erwin Barth, who has also designed the Schustherus-Park, the Jungfernheide and the Klausener Platz just as uniquely.
15 - 19 May 2019 | Members‘ trip to Hamburg and Oslo
Together with 34 friends and supporters, we first travelled to Hamburg on this year's members' trip to experience a highly acclaimed concert by the Staatskapelle conducted by Maestro Daniel Barenboim in the best seats of the Elbphilharmonie. We were spoiled in the famous hotel "Vier Jahreszeiten", from where we could walk to the Hamburg State Opera the next evening to be enchanted by a real Neumeier ballet classic: "Illusionen- wie Schwanensee". The following day, we took the bus to Kiel to continue our journey on the ferry Color Line to Oslo. The luxury cabins on board left nothing to be desired and we enjoyed a dinner together in the evening at a calm sea. After arriving in Oslo, we were able to get an impression of the impressive development of the city during an elaborate city tour. The Oslo Opera is overwhelmingly situated directly at the water of the Oslo Fjord, a location which never ceases to amaze us. Additionally, how beautiful this house is from the inside as well, could be seen during a guided tour of the opera house. Afterwards, the performance of Mozart's Magic Flute surprised us: It was sung in Norwegian! All in all, we were able to experience an outstandingly attractive and varied programme on our trip to Hamburg and Oslo - all due to the tour operator PALCO REALE and our dedicated tour guide Medi Gasteiner, whom we would like to thank for the amazing journey!
15 May 2019 | ZwischenTöne: Artist talk with Harry Kupfer
Harry Kupfer is one of the most popular directors in Germany and he has gifted us various special opera moments. Last time, he fascinated the audience with a production of Verdi‘s »Macbeth«. Through our series »ZwischenTöne: Gespräche hinter den Kulissen« he gave exclusive insights in his way of producing and also introduced the newly published picture book »Inszenierte Musik«, in which his works throughout the last decades are picturesquely introduced. The event was moderated by Rainer Fineske, first chairman of the Richard-Wagner association of Berlin-Brandenburg. Traditionally, host of the meeting and following reception was M.M.Warburg & CO Bankhaus Löbbecke at Behren Palais at the Bebelplatz.
7 – 22 Apr. FESTTAGE 2019 & special program of the Friends and Supporters
Once again, the beloved FESTTAGE of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden take place during the Easter holidays. Treat yourself and enjoy a rarely heard work by Sergei Prokofiev with »Die Verlobung im Kloster«, Anna Moses’ production of »Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg« and Anna Netrebko’s performances at the Berliner Philharmonie on the 19 and 20 April 2019! In addition, this year’s theme of our special program »Friends and those who want come become Friends« is »Neighborhood«.
FESTTAGE SONDERPROGRAMM DER FREUNDE UND FÖRDERER (3.21 MB, pdf)
28 March 2019 | Pariser Platz der Kulturen
In cooperation with Allianz Deutschland AG, our association invited Master Builders, Patrons and Donors to an evening dedicated to young talent work at the Staatsoper, which took place at the Pariser Platz.
We are committed to filling the Staatsoper Unter den Linden with life every day, while inspiring new generations to partake in the fascination of the genre. The results of the artistic engagement of young talents were proved by the young musicians of the Orchesterakademie and Sarah Aristidou, scholar of the international opera studio. Additionally, artistic director Matthias Schulz reported on how he intends to bring children and young people into contact with the opera’s many facets through a wide range of opportunities to participate, discover and experience. The talk was moderated by Petra Gute. As an encore, the sopranists deeply moved every one of the 350 guests with a Cypriot love song – an audible demonstration for how much music is able to touch us! After the concert, the friends and supporters and the guests of the Allianz Stiftung rounded off the evening with a glass of wine overlooking the Brandenburger Tor.
25 March 2019 | Introduction to the 2019/2020 season
On 25 March, artistic director Matthias Schulz unveiled the program of his second season at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden. He has personally – accompanied by artists – introduce it to the Friends and Supporters in the Apollosaal.
20 February 2019 | Guided tour through the »PalaisPopulaire«
With its almost 300 years of history, the former Prinzessinenpalais offers a perfect symbiosis of historical monument and modern event location. Where once the kings and princesses of the house of Prussia resided, the Deutsche Bank opened its international forum for art, culture and sport in September 2018. On a guided tour through the »PalaisPopulaire«, we had the opportunity to discover their exhibition in cooperation with the Tate Modern London: »Objects of Wonder, British Sculpture 1950s – Present«. Afterwards we discussed what we saw with other friends and enjoyed coffee and cake in the new café.
15 November 2018 | ZwischenTöne: Dialogue with the dramaturges
During the new BAROCKTAGE at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, the dramaturges of the Staatsoper gave an insight into the world of baroque music at the »ZwischenTönen – Gespräche hinter den Kulissen«. The M.M.Warburg & CO Bankhaus Löbbecke kindly opened its doors again for us and invited after the dialogue to the reception in the beautiful premises of the Behren Palais on Bebelplatz. Due to illness, the artist Max Emanuel Cencic unfortunately could not attend the event as planned.
14 October 2018 | A Sunday for the Staatsoper
At this year's Dussmann-Sonntag, the artists of the Staatsoper have filled the KulturKaufhaus on all floors with sonorous music. The Dussmann Group kindly donates the whole day’s sales (30,000 €) to the children’s program at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden! In return, the opera invited you to explore and participate in a family program taking place on the stages of the KulturKaufhaus. The opera rally for children explored various aspects of opera and concert! A very successful day!
26 September 2018 | Guided tour through the decoration and costume studios
This is where theater dreams are made: In the central theater studios of the Stiftung Oper in Berlin, around 260 employees – who build stages and craft costumes, shoes and wigs – work on an area of 25.000 square meters. The Bühnenservice Berlin, as part of the studios, is the largest theater service provider in Germany. With a guided tour, our Friends and Supporters enjoyed a exclusive insight behind the scenes!