Berlin.
Star conductor Daniel Barenboim resigns as General Music Director of the Berlin State Opera. His health has deteriorated significantly.
The exceptional conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim has not spoken publicly for months. Most recently, in October, he announced on social media that the concert for his 80th birthday on November 15 had to be postponed. The doctors had determined that he was suffering from a “serious neurological disease”. Daniel Barenboim announced his resignation as general music director of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden in a personal statement on Friday.
“Unfortunately, my health has deteriorated significantly in the last year,” shared the artist. “I can no longer provide the performance that is rightly demanded of a general music director. Therefore, I ask for your understanding that I will give up this job on January 31, 2023. I ask the culture senator to terminate the contract between us at the specified time.” This is a remarkably short-term resignation.
Klaus Lederer: “I feel a good deal of regret”
Daniel Barenboim only returned at the turn of the year after a long break at the podium of his Staatskapelle. His comeback with Beethoven’s 9th symphony was celebrated by the audience. It was a deeply touching and disturbing take on the otherwise always cheering Ode to Joy. There was a lack of confidence in the final. We have known since Friday that it was also an inner farewell to the opera house for Barenboim. It was only after the New Year’s Eve concerts that he made the decision to resign as general music director, according to the State Opera. Even close confidants were only initiated at short notice. Now a great era ends.
The Berlin Senator for Culture, Klaus Leder (left), described him as an “artist of the century”. “I am convinced that Daniel Barenboim made the right decision, even if the process and ultimately the decision were certainly not easy for him,” said Lederer on Friday. “His decision is reflected, it puts the well-being of the State Opera and the Staatskapelle in the foreground. All of this deserves the utmost respect.” And in addition to the respect, the senator adds, “I feel a good deal of regret with regard to Daniel Barenboim’s decision.” That will now be the case for many in his global fan community.
Barenboim’s declaration of love to the Staatskapelle
But you have to be careful not to equate the resignation from the official post of general music director at an opera house with a general farewell to the stage. While Barenboim’s explanation was being circulated by the Staatsoper, the conductor was rehearsing with the Berlin Philharmonic. The rehearsal atmosphere is said to have been resolved. Barenboim now wants to conduct three concerts in the Philharmonie. “Of course, as long as I live, I will remain closely connected to music and I am willing to work as a conductor in the future, also and especially with the Staatskapelle Berlin,” he said in his resignation. The next appearances of Barenboim at the rostrum of the Staatskapelle should be communicated in a timely manner, according to the opera house. In addition, he is still in demand at the Barenboim Said Academy, which he founded, where music students from Israel and the Middle East are trained just behind the State Opera.
Barenboim’s farewell declaration is also a remarkable declaration of love for his Staatskapelle. “I have been General Music Director of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden Berlin since 1992. The years have inspired us musically and personally in every respect.” “I think that the State Opera and I were very lucky for each other. What makes me particularly happy and proud is that the Staatskapelle has chosen me as chief conductor for life. We have become a musical family over the years and will remain so.”
Daniel Barenboim with forgiving overtones
In addition, there are also conciliatory nuances to be discovered, for example when he emphasizes that he appreciates all members of the Staatskapelle, “even those who have since left.” Not all musicians left the Staatskapelle in peacetime. Barenboim was at times caught in the crossfire because he appeared as an old-school ruler.
Barenboim was born on November 15, 1942 to Jewish parents in Argentina. The family moved to Israel when he was nine. His talent was quickly discovered, the conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler and the pianist Artur Rubinstein took notice of him. Soon he went on concert tours all over the world.
Barenboim was supposed to be director of the Bastille Opera
At times Barenboim appeared simultaneously as a pianist and conductor, later he concentrated on conducting. For about 14 years he conducted the Orchester de Paris and was actually supposed to be director of the newly built Bastille Opera. Because of a dispute over his salary, it didn’t come to that, instead he took over the direction of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In the early 1990s he became General Music Director of the Berlin State Opera.
Remarkably, Barenboim also includes Chancellor Angela Merkel and Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble as “pleasant companions” in his parting words. Barenboim had been supported by the federal government for decades, even though he was unable to make the State Opera a federal opera before the state-owned Opera Foundation in Berlin was founded. But at the big opera premieres there were always national celebrities. The name Barenboim spreads international glamor.
It remains unclear who will succeed Barenboim
“One can only imagine how difficult this step must have been for Daniel Barenboim,” said State Opera Director Matthias Schulz on Friday. “We all wish Daniel Barenboim all the best for his continued recovery! Daniel Barenboim will always remain connected to this house and the Staatskapelle Berlin.” With the announcement of the end of the Barenboim era, the search for a successor has officially begun. Intendant Matthias Schulz said on Friday when asked that his designated successor Elisabeth Sobotka, who will take over the office in September 2024, and Senator for Culture Klaus Lederer will meet very soon to discuss the further procedure. At the same time, the director tried to keep the ball flat. “There is no reason to act hastily.” Schulz pointed out that there were already changes in the line-up in 2022 due to Daniel Barenboim’s illness. “It will continue like this for the time being,” announced the director.
Christian Thielemann is fully booked in Dresden until 2024
Most recently, Christian Thielemann, who had stepped in for Barenboim in the new Wagner cycle “Ring des Nibelungen” and in the Staatskapelle’s Asian tour, was traded as crown prince. The 63-year-old Thielemann and the band seem to get along splendidly. But the Berlin star conductor had already announced after the tour that he still had a contract in Dresden until 2024 and “a full schedule”.
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