Contract extension Elisabeth Sobotka and Christian Thielemann

The Staatsoper Unter den Linden is delighted to announce the extension of the contracts of Artistic Director Elisabeth Sobotka and Principal Conductor Christian Thielemann until 31 July 2034. The Board of Trustees of the Oper in Berlin Foundation approved the extension of both contracts at its meeting on 8 October 2026. On 14 October, the contracts were signed by Stefan Evers, Senator for Culture and Social Cohesion, Elisabeth Sobotka and Christian Thielemann, in the presence of Wolfram Weimer, Minister of State for Culture and Media.

Elisabeth Sobotka and Christian Thielemann began their collaboration at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden on 1 September 2024 and have since been successfully shaping the theatre’s artistic development. Their partnership stands for the highest artistic quality, an outstanding ensemble, and the preservation and further development of the diverse opera and concert repertoire. Together with the Staatskapelle Berlin and internationally renowned artists, they are raising the profile of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden as one of the leading opera houses with international appeal. The contract extension is both a confirmation of the path taken and an important signal for the future. It lays the foundations for continuing this successful collaboration in the long term, further expanding the theatre’s artistic excellence and sustainably strengthening its international standing.

Elisabeth Sobotka, Artistic Director of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden:

“It is an honour and a particular pleasure for me to be able to continue leading the Staatsoper Unter den Linden. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Berlin Senate and the Board of Trustees of the Berlin Opera Foundation, and I look forward to continuing to work with Christian Thielemann as General Music Director. This continuity gives us the opportunity to build on the strong start to our trusting collaboration and to move forward into the future with renewed strength.”

Christian Thielemann, General Music Director of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden:

“It is wonderful that I am able to continue my highly harmonious collaboration – both on a personal and artistic level – with the Staatskapelle Berlin and Elisabeth Sobotka. Over the past three seasons, we have already been able to explore a wide-ranging repertoire. It is therefore with great anticipation and excitement that I look forward to the opportunity to continue nurturing our core repertoire and to discover new works.”

The Staatsoper Unter den Linden would like to thank the Freunde und Förderer of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, the Board of Trustees of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden and its main partner, BMW, for their support.