Conductor

When a sound endures for centuries, when an ensemble of musicians not only survives but preserves, carries on, and renews cultural heritage – then one approaches what one can in good conscience call “tradition.” With the opening of the 2026 anniversary season, the Thuringia Philharmonic Orchestra looks back on 375 years of orchestral tradition – not as a mere chronology, but as a living movement between past, present, and future. This special season invites you not only to hear, but to eavesdrop; not only to remember, but also to think further – and so the Thuringia Philharmonic Orchestra Gotha-Eisenach is celebrating 375 years not as the culmination of achievements, but as a new beginning: namely, into what is possible. The future of music does not begin tomorrow – it begins with the next note of today. In this sense, may the music of this season unite us all, indeed transform us – and remind us of the essence of music: Where people listen together, a space of humanity always arises. Full of exuberance, Friedrich von Schiller's poem "Ode to Joy" evokes a feeling that unites all humankind, a kind of divine inspiration that unites and inspires all earthly life. Ludwig van Beethoven was fascinated by this ode from a young age, especially because of its heroic and sublime power of language and its overarching humanistic message. When Beethoven was at the height of his compositional creativity, he was almost compelled to let this "Ode to Joy" resound in the final movement of his 9th Symphony, a daring, vocal-symphonic hymn. Let us all be inspired by the idealism of Schiller and Beethoven and welcome the new year 2026 together!

Festive New Year's Concert – Opening! The Ninth!

State Theatre Eisenach

When a sound endures for centuries, when an ensemble of musicians not only survives but preserves, carries on, and renews cultural heritage – then one approaches what one can in good conscience call “tradition.” With the opening of the 2026 anniversary season, the Thuringia Philharmonic Orchestra looks back on 375 years of orchestral tradition – not as a mere chronology, but as a living movement between past, present, and future. This special season invites you not only to hear, but to eavesdrop; not only to remember, but also to think further – and so the Thuringia Philharmonic Orchestra Gotha-Eisenach is celebrating 375 years not as the culmination of achievements, but as a new beginning: namely, into what is possible. The future of music does not begin tomorrow – it begins with the next note of today. In this sense, may the music of this season unite us all, indeed transform us – and remind us of the essence of music: Where people listen together, a space of humanity always arises. 

B1 Festive New Year's Concert – Opening! The Ninth!

Gotha Cultural Center

The pastoral world is supposedly idyllic. But even shepherds are only people, and pretty Clori drives not one, but two shepherds to distraction. The most charming of all Handel’s Italian cantatas is accompanied here by three dancers who embody the feelings around this story and everyday’s relationships.

EPSG:4326

Clori, Tirsi e Fileno italian Cantata HWV 96

Goethe Theatre Bad Lauchstädt

Jerusalem during the Crusades: The Christian knights prepare for battle, but their plans are thwarted by the Saracen king Argante and the powerful sorceress Armida. Rinaldo is particularly devastated when his beloved Almirena is abducted. Armida, disguised as Almirena, attempts to seduce him and win him over to her side. Caught between love, duty, and temptation, Rinaldo becomes a pawn in a game of opposing forces. Will he be able to resist the allure of power and magic?

Conductor

Michael Hofstetter

Events

Upcoming events

May 29 - Jun 14, 2026

Rinaldo · Staatskapelle Halle

Past events

Jan 2, 2026

Festive New Year's Concert – Opening! The Ninth! · Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha-Eisenach

Jan 1, 2026

B1 Festive New Year's Concert – Opening! The Ninth! · Thüringen Philharmonie Gotha-Eisenach

Future and recently performed repertoire

Conductor in Rinaldo by Händel

Staatskapelle Halle

About

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