Anniversary concert: 100 years of the Deutsche Oper Berlin

The words of Georg Hartmann, first intendant of the Deutsches Opernhaus, in 1912 as he explained his choice of the opera house's inaugural concert, are as apt today as they were a century ago: "'Fidelio' must be our beacon, and let this great, symphonic hymn to a love that allows all, bears all, attains all - I'm thinking of the grand finale in C major - be the test of the pure musical capacity of the Deutsches Opernhaus." Reason enough to place the second act of FIDELIO at the centre of festivities to mark the hundredth birthday of the house, in recollection of the social function of art, as proof of its high artistic standards and also as a prime example of the cohesion of chorus, orchestra and great soloists, who, from the earliest days, have been instrumental in establishing the international reputation of the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

It is a fine occasion on which to look back on past achievements, too - alongside conductors and singers past and present who have left their mark on the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Joining us in this glance back over the years is Hans Werner Henze, one of our greatest living composers, who wrote a number of his key works for this opera house - among them KÖNIG HIRSCH and DER JUNGE LORD. In a new work he reflects on his artistic relationship to the Deutsche Oper Berlin.

The programme
First part
Richard Wagner (1813 – 1883)
TANNHAUSER – „Dich, teure Halle, grüß’ ich wieder“

Hans Werner Henze (*1926)
World premiere „Ouverture zu einem Theater“

Gioacchino Rossini (1792 – 1868)
SEMIRAMIDE – Ouverture

Giuseppe Verdi (1813 – 1901)
FALSTAFF – „Tutto nel mondo è burla“

Second part
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770 – 1827)
FIDELIO, 2. act

Kindly supported by Mercedes Benz.
The premiere of Henze's composition was made possible by the friendly support of the Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation.