Singer

The re-enactment of the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ at Easter has always been an occasion for a special musical arrangement. In Leipzig, too, Johann Sebastian Bach, who as the newly appointed "Director of Music" was officially responsible for the music in the city's churches, was expected to come up with something for this purpose. Bach fulfilled this task at his very first Easter in his new position: with the performance of his setting of the Passion story based on the words of the Gospel of John on Good Friday of 1724.

EPSG:4326

2nd Philharmonic Concert

Konzerthaus Dortmund

Power, love and intrigue prevail in ancient Egypt, as no fewer than three ruling houses are entangled in the country’s political turmoil: following the defeat of Giulio Cesare, his adversary Pompeo has fled to Egypt with his wife Cornelia and his son Sesto. However, King Tolomeo has Pompeo murdered immediately in order to hand Pompeo’s head to Cesare on his arrival. However, the “gift” misses its mark: Cesare is dismayed by so much malice. Cornelia and Sesto swear revenge on Tolomeo. Cleopatra, Tolomeo’s sister, also tries to win favour with Cesare. Tolomeo’s power threatens to crumble and the battle for the throne unfolds...

Julius Caesar in Egypt

Staatenhaus Köln

Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne: »In the mood for classical music?!«

Museum Ludwig

Bock auf Klassik?!

Fabulous

Werner is head over heels in love with Margareta. And since he is The Trumpeter of Säkkingen, it makes sense to serenade his sweetheart on said instrument: The perfect trigger for Gustav Mahler to become creative and start composing. In 1884, a stage production of the novel about Werner and Margareta is put on at the Hoftheater Kassel, and Gustav Mahler writes the music for it. Out of that, Blumine is the only remaining piece. The rest was destroyed by 24-year-old Mahler who was second Kapellmeister at the time – quality control at its most radical. Since this highly romantic but isolated movement wouldn’t really fit into Mahler’s next major project either, his first symphony, seven decades went by before Blumine was rediscovered: Pure, nearly unclouded beauty by Mahler, and with a trumpet solo to melt your heart.

Mozart wrote in a letter to his father that death is »the true, best friend of man« – which for Manfred Honeck is a »profound and significant statement«. The internationally sought-after conductor is known for his unmistakable and trend-setting style – and is also a charismatic and passionate artist who loves emotional depth: »If I had the choice between technical precision and emotional music, I would always choose the music.« The former violist of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, who once began his conducting career as Claudio Abbado’s assistant, has been a regular guest of ours for more than 30 years. This led to an intimate friendship – and as a result, he is now officially performing his first concert as our new honorary conductor. We are delighted to be performing one of his favourite programmes with him on Eternity Sunday, which is very moving and will certainly give food for thought: The equally »mysterious and divine moments« in Mozart's last work – the otherworldly beautiful requiem from 1791, which the composer worked on until his early death at the age of just 35 and was unable to complete. Manfred Honeck breaks the ritualistic confessional music abruptly at precisely that point after eight bars in the »Lacrimosa« – and complements and combines it in an incredibly comforting way with other poignant sound creations, texts from powerful biblical passages, letters by Mozart, poems, Gregorian chorales and the urging ringing of bells.

Manfred Honeck: Mozart's Requiem

Bamberg Concert Hall

What music should definitely be taken to the famous desert island? Twelve pieces, let's be generous. Eleven, you'd have to weigh things up and consider them a bit, as the selection isn't exactly small. But the twelfth is a given, without a doubt: Johann Sebastian Bach's Christmas Oratorio is music with an eternal quality – and, if you don't take the content too seriously, it's definitely suitable for year-round listening. This work is almost 300 years old, and yet it sounds as if Bach's ink had just dried: fresh, festive, thrillingly spirited, and deeply heartfelt.

Mezzo-soprano

Anna Lucia Richter

Events

Upcoming events

Dec 21, 2025

Shout for joy, be glad! · Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne

Past events

28 - 29 Oct, 2025

2nd Philharmonic Concert · Dortmunder Philharmoniker

5 - 12 Jul, 2025

Julius Caesar in Egypt · Oper Köln

Future and recently performed repertoire

Singer in Requiem by Mozart

Bamberger Symphoniker

Singer in Blumine by Mahler

Kölner Philharmonie

Singer in Des Knaben Wunderhorn by Mahler

Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne

Singer in Am Tage Aller Seelen by Schubert

Bamberger Symphoniker

Singer in Symphony No. 6 by Schubert

Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne

Singer in Musique funèbre by Lutosławski

Bamberger Symphoniker

Singer in Symphony No. 1 by Mahler

Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne

Singer in Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten by Pärt

Bamberger Symphoniker

About

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