“State Opera for All” 2020 as token of appreciation to everyone that helped during the coronavirus pandemic

Comunicato Stampa disponibile solo in lingua originale. 

Live-concert with Daniel Barenboim, the Staatskapelle Berlin as well as Anne-Sophie Mutter, Julia Kleiter, Waltraud Meier, Andreas Schager, René Pape and the Staatsopernchor. Over half a million visitors overall since 2007.

On Sunday, BMW and Staatsoper Unter den Linden jointly invited to this year’s edition of “State Opera for All”. This was not only to celebrate the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven but also the 450th anniversary of the Staatskapelle Berlin. With 2,000 guests, “State Opera for All” 2020 was intended to thank everyone who contributed significantly and helped ensure vital services during the crisis.

Berlin. On Sunday, BMW and Staatsoper Unter den Linden jointly invited to this year’s edition of “State Opera for All”. This was not only to celebrate the 250th birthday of Ludwig van Beethoven but also the 450th anniversary of the Staatskapelle Berlin. With 2,000 guests, “State Opera for All” 2020 was intended to thank everyone who contributed significantly and helped ensure vital services during the crisis.

Following the protective guidelines for events, this year’s “State Opera for All” offered a reduced number of seats for a total of 2,000 spectators. The open-air concert was an important sign for the return of the culture. Additionally, it was meant as a token of appreciation offered to all those that provided indispensable support working in sectors crucial to the society such as healthcare services, retail and logistics. A share of the tickets was reserved for people working in any one of these sectors. All tickets available had been out of stock within minutes. Thanks to BMW Berlin, admission to the concert was offered again free of charge.

The patronage of “State Opera for All” had been taken over by Berlin’s governing mayor Michael Müller. Furthermore, high-ranking representatives from the worlds of politics and business as well as virologist Prof. Dr Christian Drosten, actress Iris Berben and author Katja Eichinger took part as special guests. This year’s concert was moderated by ZDFkultur presenter Lisa Ruhfus.

From 8.00 PM and on the occasion of the 250^th anniversary of Ludwig van Beethoven’s birth, the Staatskapelle Berlin performed two romances for violin with Anne-Sophie Mutter as soloist, the “Egmont” Overture and the Symphony No. 9, the “Ode to Joy”, with Julia Kleiter, Waltraud Meier, Andreas Schager and René Pape presenting the solo parts as well as the Staatsopernchor. The concert was available online via live stream. It will be broadcasted on the German TV channel ZDF on September 13, 2020 at 10.15 pm.

“What an amazing feeling to perform at Bebelplatz in front of 2,000 people and to finally feel the audience’s energy again! Being part of this open-air concert that was first and foremost dedicated to all those whose efforts contributed significantly to our society over the previous months was particularly important to me”, said Anne-Sophie Mutter.

Matthias Schulz, Director of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden: “We are back – and how! It was paramount for all of us at Staatsoper Unter den Linden to mark the return of great symphonic music, and above all to present a performance that included vocals and the Staatsopernchor. I am deeply grateful to our partners BMW and ZDF, together with whom we continued to believe in our initiative even when faced with the most difficult of circumstances. At Staatsoper Unter den Linden and in all of Berlin and its surroundings, we are all in need of such highly emotive symbols of solidarity and the shared experiences of cultural events”.

“Staatsoper Unter den Linden and BMW started the series of open-air concerts, ‘State Opera for All’, in the historical center of Germany’s capital in 2007.  Since then, we were able to welcome over half a million visitors to this great event at Bebelplatz. There were visibly less guests in front of this impressive setting, yesterday, as there were only 2,000 visitors allowed on the ground due to Covid-19. Therefore, we are even more delighted that this year’s concert could take place that way at all. During these uncertain times it is music that vigorously reminds us of the power humanity is capable of. I hope that ‘State Opera for All’ with Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’ has been an inspiring symbol during these challenging times. It was a special honor to welcome lots of people working in sectors crucial to the society and who helped with their social engagement. We are thankful for their tireless commitment”, said Sebastian Mackensen, BMW Group Senior Vice President Market Germany.

In 2020, Staatskapelle Berlin celebrates its 450^th anniversary and marks this special occasion over the course of the seasons 2019/2020 and 2020/2012. With a tradition reaching back to 1570, the Staatskapelle Berlin is one of the oldest orchestras in the world. Daniel Barenboim was appointed general music director of the Staatskapelle in 1992.

For almost 50 years, BMW Group has supported hundreds of cultural institutions worldwide. The cooperation with Staatsoper Unter den Linden is an integral part of a broad range of partnerships of BMW Group and various concert halls and ensembles from all over the world ranging from South Africa to China. The partnerships include a series of open-air concerts held in Munich and at London’s Trafalgar Square and, since 2018, in Moscow.

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