a moving story about an outsider, turned into a scapegoat by his small-minded, vindictive fellow villagers. The only way to escape his wretched life and them, baying for his blood, is by scuttling his boat and drowning at sea. Michel Friedman discusses this with a former chairman of the SPD, minister in several cabinets and vice chancellor: Franz Müntefering.

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Michel Friedman (a well known person in Germany) in conversation

Oper Frankfurt

Who are we, who do we want to be? How far will longing for more power, wealth and a more elevated position in society make peope go? Triggered by a curious encounter, which he thinks is a prophesy, Macbeth’s wife goads him into murdering King Duncan. The throne falls to him, but remorse and hallucinations throw him deeper and deeper into turmoil, while Lady Macbeth urges him to carry out more atrocious deeds. But her feelings of guilt ending up destroying her too. R.B. Schlather’s production traces the extraordinary actuality of the protagonists, just as Verdi was fascinated by Shakespeare’s King and Queen. The Director studied the gruesome events surrounding a childless couple in an elegant but cheerless atmosphere of an imposing residence: global politics mirrored in private lives. In the end the oppressed put a violent end to the Macbeth’s autocratic regime.

Macbeth

Turandot refuses to marry by setting an impossible condition: Whoever wants her for his wife must solve three riddles. Anyone who can’t, is publicly executed. Prince Calaf, a refugee stranded in Peking, falls hopelessly under Turandot’s spell. The Princess is shaken to the core when he manages to answer all three. Turandot unleashes a clear struggle for power, which ultimately claims innocent victims.

Turandot

The inspiration for Fortner’s opera resembles an ancient Greek tragedy. The Spanish poet Garcia Lorca took up an all too familiar tale for his play Blood Wedding, which was first performed in 1933. His vitriol aimed at the uncompromising nature of blood feuds: a bridegroom’s mother lost her husband and oldest son in fights between the two clans and now fears for her youngest son’s life. She’s worried his wedding will reignite the war, because the bride still loves her former beloved Leonardo, a member of the enemy family. Leonardo abducts her during the wedding. They escape into the woods, but are caught. Two scores are settled: both rivals die in a duel.

Blood Wedding

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFe6mW6x9pc

The Artelize Podcast: 'Amplifying What Makes Us Human'. A conversation with Zuly E. Inirio

Podcast link: https://youtu.be/4hagYvrYbuM

The Artelize Podcast and Kasper Holten - Pedefining Opera for the modern world

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d36M5Hi6O80

The Artelize Podcast - A legacy of innovation in Opera: Celebrating Marc A. Scorca

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59E40S_EQSY

The Artelize Podcast: A love letter that was never sent

It is a young, but all the more beautiful tradition: shortly before the end of the season, great orchestral sound prepares a feast for the ears. The Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden is the orchestra of honour. In the 1840s, Richard Wagner referred to the orchestra, which he himself led as court conductor, with sincere affection as a 'wonderful harp'. Since then, the art-loving metropolis on the River Elbe has been a constant source of Wagnerian music. For the orchestra festival at the Alte Oper, the Dresdeners will continue to focus on Wagner, placing him in a surprising field of tension: Camille Saint-Saëns and Claude Debussy were among the German Romantic composer's greatest admirers and harshest critics. The Sächsische Staatskapelle, its principal conductor Daniele Gatti and Gautier Capuçon will devote themselves to these three magicians of sound par excellence.

Orchestra Festival: Saxon State Orchestra Dresden

Alte Oper

Enlightening insights: when musicologist Dr Ulrike Kienzle invites you to the Albert Mangelsdorff Foyer before the concert by the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, scores are opened, themes compared, musical examples listened to and in-depth knowledge about works and their creation imparted. An event that provides new listening experiences and increases the anticipation of the concert that follows!

Kienzle's Classics

Thunder Sheet and Fly Trap

Deutsche Ensemble Akademie e.V.

Dagmar Manzel is one of Germany's most admired and respected actresses, appearing in plays, films and on television and, for 20 years, as a major player in theater: While Barrie Kosky ran the Komische Oper she turned into an operetta and musical star. She's back at Oper Frankfurt this season for this recital (her first was in 2017) and to play Death a new production of Fortner's version of Lorca's Blood Wedding. The title of her recital is Longing, exploring it from various angles, like longing for happiness, great and small, and better times. Émile Cioran said, for those suffering unfulfilled longings: "In a world without melancholy nightingales would soon start belching  ..." Don't miss the chance of experiencing this wonderful artist live, with a small group of musicians, reciting texts and singing songs from 1920s to the present day, true to Friedrich Hollaender's maxim: "If I could make a wish."

Dagmar Manzel (singer)

From the 1960s onwards, political engagement became a central driving force behind the work of composer Hans Werner Henze. The 'voices' that speak in different languages are those of the poor and disenfranchised, as captured by politically engaged poets from around the world. The result is a cycle that has affinities with musical theatre, offering a stirring musical experience that consciously follows in the tradition of Hanns Eisler and Paul Dessau.

Ensemble Modern

What does a river sound like? How does music march? And who plays what in the orchestra? In this concert for grades 3 and 4, students embark on a musical journey of discovery together with solo bassoonist Theo Plath and the hr Symphony Orchestra. The centerpiece is Robert Schumann's "Rhenish Symphony"—a work that is like a musical travel diary full of impressions. Inspired by his move to the Rhineland, Schumann incorporated images of nature, experiences, and moods—sometimes festive, sometimes dreamy. The instruments are introduced piece by piece, their roles in the orchestra explained—and, of course, experienced live. An interactive excursion right into the world of classical music: vivid, engaging, and full of listening fun for young ears!

Schumann's Orchestral Excursion

Hessischer Rundfunk

A program perfectly suited to the "Quick & Classy" taste. Featuring the late, intimately warm Clarinet Concerto by the Viennese Classical composer Mozart and the Third Symphony by the German Romantic composer Schumann, brimming with the vibrant life of the Rhineland. Schumann's blissful mood gave rise to captivating symphonic soundscapes, a musical reflection of the new impressions he received after moving to the Rhine. These soundscapes will be brought to life by the young French-British conductor Stephanie Childress and the hr-Sinfonieorchester, just as hr-Solo Clarinetist Tomaž Močilnik will bring Mozart's soulful atmosphere and musical nuances to life. What touches the heart is joy for one.

Heart & Joy

The response to their performances in Germany was overwhelming - long-time fans flocked to the concert halls, while many new listeners discovered the fascinating mix of classical music, rock and pop. The TEN TENORS had not performed in Germany for ten years, so the excitement was all the greater when they made their triumphant return in 2025. Long time fans were once again enthralled, while a whole new generation of concert-goers discovered their unique show. Particularly impressive was the fact that the TEN TENORS surprised the audience with songs they had rehearsed especially for the German tour. Titles such as 'Komet' by Udo Lindenberg & Apache 207 or '99 Luftballons' by Nena were enthusiastically received by the audience.

Ten Tenors

Alexander Malofeev's debut was brilliant! The pianist stepped in for the ill Evgeny Kissin at a concert of the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra - and the audience could hardly contain itself. The Frankfurt audience rewarded Malofeev's virtuoso playing with thunderous applause, not so much for its power as for its melody and transparency. It was high time for the 23-year-old to give a recital at the Alte Oper. Malofeev readily admits that he feels most at home alone on stage. He then gives an insight into his world of sound: "It's always my own space, even when hundreds of people are listening. I let them in. I like to create my own space. In the Mozart Hall, Malofeev creates a sound space that spans Scandinavia, France, Vienna and his Russian homeland: Characteristic pieces glowing in intense colours.

Alexander Malofeev, piano

The last concerts this season welcome back our dear friend Sebastian Weigle, long-standing chief conductor and artistic manager of the Museumsconcerts, conducting the Frankfurt Opern and Museumsorchesters for the first time as a guest.

10th Sunday & Monday Symphonic Concerts

A finale with two masterpieces. Who doesn't know and love Schubert's only piano quintet with its famous variation movement on the "capricious trout"? The song's cheerful tone imbues the entire quintet with an aura of carefree musical joy, to which its bright, luminous sound also contributes. In stark contrast, this is preceded by Brahms's long-matured, final piano quartet, which reflects deep biographical conflicts. It is among the most impressive chamber music of the Romantic era. When he sent the final version to his publisher, Brahms once jokingly suggested that the edition of the score should include a picture of the composer "in a Werther costume"—an allusion to Goethe's despairing suicide victim, as well as a reflection on the lingering effects of his more than 20-year-long turmoil in his love triangle with Clara and Robert Schumann.

Trout Quintet

The last concert of the season brings us a reunion with an old friend. Sebastian Weigle, long-standing principal conductor and artistic director of the Museumskonzerte, returns to the podium of the Frankfurt Opera and Museum Orchestra for the first time since his retirement.

Frankfurt Opera and Museum Orchestra

Music and time go hand in hand. And time is endless, especially when you're only seven years old. Or when you're bored. But the sense of time disappears when you are swallowed up by a world of wonder. In its production ‘Tempo’, the Dutch Oorkaan Ensemble makes classical music accessible to young and old. The musicians play works by Beethoven, Brahms, Monteverdi and others, as well as pieces composed especially for the ensemble, and know how to turn the music from a second into a minute and vice versa. They speed up and slow down and are not afraid to break the rules. With Tempo, time seems to fly and stand still at the same time! This concert in the Alte Oper's ‘Klangforscher’ series is aimed at children aged six and over and their families.

Tempo

Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem is one of the greatest works of choral symphonic literature. The Collegium Musicum of Goethe University Frankfurt will perform this monumental work at the Alte Oper with 400 performers, including partner choirs from Frankfurt, Cologne and Vilnius, as well as international soloists.

Concert of the Goethe University

While Syracuse is arming for war against the Sarazans, the King’s daughter Amenaide is charged with high treason for writing a letter to Solamir, leader of the Sarazans, professing her love. Just before her execution Tancredi, a knight banished from Syracuse, and Amenaide’s secret lover, returns, incognito. The letter was intended for him. Although he saves her from being executed, he starts doubting her fidelity. War with the Sarazans looms closer, and Tancredi’s to lead his people into the decisive battle.

Events in Frankfurt am Main

Michel Friedman (a well k...

Oper Frankfurt

Macbeth

Oper Frankfurt

Turandot

Oper Frankfurt

Blood Wedding

Oper Frankfurt

The Artelize Podcast: 'Am...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast - A ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast: A l...

Artelize

Orchestra Festival: Saxon...

Alte Oper Frankfurt

Kienzle's Classics

Alte Oper Frankfurt

Thunder Sheet and Fly Tra...

Ensemble Modern

Dagmar Manzel (singer)

Oper Frankfurt

Ensemble Modern

Alte Oper Frankfurt

Schumann's Orchestral Exc...

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Heart & Joy

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Ten Tenors

Alte Oper Frankfurt

Alexander Malofeev, piano...

Alte Oper Frankfurt

10th Sunday & Monday Symp...

Oper Frankfurt

Trout Quintet

Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra

Frankfurt Opera and Museu...

Alte Oper Frankfurt

Tempo

Alte Oper Frankfurt

Concert of the Goethe Uni...

Alte Oper Frankfurt

Tancredi

Oper Frankfurt

Open Young Ears! - Hans W...

Ensemble Modern