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Three years after his dismissal from Trinity Church Wall Street over misconduct allegations, Julian Wachner resumes work as a musician. Cleared in court, he now teaches math, plays in a band, and records Bach in Munich. backstageclassical.com/wachner-zuru...

submitted 6 hours ago • 0 comments

Monday is newsletter-day: backstageclassical.com/berliner-spa...

submitted 7 hours ago • 1 comment

Berlin’s cultural sector faces €320 million in cuts over the next two years. Cultural Secretary Sarah Wedl-Wilson is engaging in discussions with artists, who report confusion and frustration. The 2026–2027 budgets face further €160 million annual cuts. backstageclassical.com/wie-geht-es-...

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

Protest against Trump: German violinist Christian Tetzlaff has canceled his planned U.S. tour in spring 2025. He cites concerns over U.S. politics under Trump, particularly regarding Russia and transgender issues. backstageclassical.com/christian-te...

submitted 2 days ago • 1 comment

Brucknerhaus in Linz: LIVA faces financial crisis with €1.68M deficit in 2024. Mayor Prammer pledges €1.5M aid, demands reforms. Issues: rising costs, poor control. backstageclassical.com/brucknerhaus...

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

Internal conflict at Münster Theater escalates publicly over future of General Director Katharina Kost-Tolmein. Staff divided: 30 support her, larger group opposes contract renewal. backstageclassical.com/zoff-am-thea...

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The director of the Salzburg Easter Festival, Nikolaus Bachler, sends out a press release about the recommendation to extend his contract, awaiting final confirmation and contract negotiations. backstageclassical.com/bachler-wird...

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Vienna‘s opera houses showcase diverse visions of the genre. Lotte de Beer revitalizes the Volksoper, Stefan Herheim pushes boundaries at Theater an der Wien, Bogdan Roščić manages the Staatsoper, an institution that maintains its classical prestige. An Essay. backstageclassical.com/das-opernlab...

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

The International Pride Orchestra reportedly received an email from the Kennedy Center stating no contract could be offered. This follows previous cancellations of LGBT-related events. backstageclassical.com/kennedy-cent...

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Ukrainian-Canadian conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson sees music as a powerful tool to defend Ukrainian identity. In BackstageClassical-podcast she expresses concern over global instability, particularly in Trump’s USA, where truth, justice, and freedom are at risk. backstageclassical.com/musik-ist-me...

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

Sebastian Baumgarten stages Berlioz’s La damnation de Faust in Kassel, blending war imagery, capitalism critique, and ideological themes. The production features electronic sounds and skeletal musical reductions. #Oper #Kassel #Baumgarten backstageclassical.com/baumgartens-...

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

Germany has voted – there's a lot to do: Culture in the municipalities is dying, the capital continues to save, and the issue with sponsors is becoming increasingly difficult. The weekly recap with all the classical news from BackstageClassical. backstageclassical.com/die-qual-nac...

submitted 7 days ago • 0 comments

Mark Grandmontagne, cultural advisor in Ingolstadt, warns of financial collapse in municipalities, severely impacting culture, education, and society. He urges more focus on securing cultural funding and calls for a national debate. backstageclassical.com/wir-schaufel...

submitted 7 days ago • 1 comment

After much debate, the SWR Experimentalstudio will remain in Freiburg. Originally considered for a move to Karlsruhe. The studio will relocate to new facilities at the Freiburg University of Music, maintaining its unique character. backstageclassical.com/swr-experime...

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

Berlin’s cultural sector must save €131 million over two years, with €70 million from reserves. Despite cuts, Mayor Wegner opposes closures and plans further talks. backstageclassical.com/berlin-wegne...

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Exclusive: The Society of Friends wanted to support the Bayreuth Festival’s 2026 anniversary productions, but their offer came too late. The funds have been kept in reserve for now. Meanwhile, €80,000 has been allocated to the children’s opera for 2025. backstageclassical.com/wo-sind-die-...

submitted 11 days ago • 0 comments

Berlin's Culture Senator Joe Chialo informed cultural representatives about further cuts, including over 300 million euros in the culture sector for 2026-2027. The cuts are part of a 1.6 billion euro total savings plan. backstageclassical.com/berlin-schoc...

submitted 11 days ago • 1 comment

Bernd Feuchtner, the artistic director of the Händel-Festspiele in Halle, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 75. He had a profound impact on the cultural life of Halle. Feuchtner earned a Ph.D. on Shostakovich and worked as a music criticand opera director. backstageclassical.com/bernd-feucht...

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Cultural lobbyists are fiercely defending old privileges, risking the collapse of orchestras and theaters. While some argue for more state funding due to audience turnout, the debate should focus on adapting to modern times. backstageclassical.com/es-gibt-kein...

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Markus Poschner becomes the new chief conductor of the ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, succeeding Marin Alsop. Amid funding concerns, he urges swift action to secure the RSO’s future, stressing its cultural significance. backstageclassical.com/poschner-neu...

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

Matthias Lutzweiler is now CEO of NAXOS Music Group – he is supported by Jeffrey Lien (Global Deputy CEO) and Iwen Schmees (Global COO). The new management aims to uphold Naxos' excellence and drive growth. backstageclassical.com/matthias-lut...

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A new GEMA reform threatens its solidarity-based financial model, shifting towards a commercial system, says composer Iris ter Schiphorst. This change could be devastating for contemporary composers, the free scene, and future generations. backstageclassical.com/wo-bleibt-de...

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NEWSLETTER DAY: Crazy times are also changing the world of music! Today, we take a look at the USA, Berlin, and Austria—change is everywhere. Only UNISONO remains the same as always. But there are also bright spots: in Gstaad and Stockholm! backstageclassical.com/veraenderte-...

submitted 14 days ago • 1 comment

The Bundestheater in Austria reports record attendance and 62.3M in ticket revenue, yielding a 1.4M surplus. Despite success, future funding is uncertain. Planning security lasts only 1.5 more years, with a budget decision for 2026/27 due by October 2025. backstageclassical.com/oesterreichs...

submitted 16 days ago • 0 comments

The Royal Opera in Stockholm presents the fifth edition of „Short Stories,“ an innovative opera format. Three composer-librettist duos create 20-minute operas, supported by a singer ensemble, orchestra, and full production resources. backstageclassical.com/das-20-minut...

submitted 17 days ago • 0 comments

Because of Trump: Renée Fleming quit her role at the Kennedy Center. Her resignation follows Donald Trump’s appointment as Chair, leading to leadership changes. Shonda Rhimes and Ben Folds also resigned, while Rutter was reportedly dismissed. backstageclassical.com/wegen-trump-...

submitted 18 days ago • 1 comment

Olaf Scholz is said to have called Joe Chialo a »court jester« (»Hofnarr«). But Hamburg’s Minister of Culture, @carstenbrosda.bsky.social , was the first to coin the term—for all Ministers of Culture. Here is the proof (video). backstageclassical.com/wie-brosda-d...

submitted 18 days ago • 1 comment

Berlin’s Senator for culture, Joe Chialo gets media attention, but not for culture policy. While he cuts funding, Hamburg’s Carsten Brosda strengthens the arts. Chialo’s image game hides leadership issues. Berlin might be glad if he moves on. backstageclassical.com/medien-chial...

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Christoph Müller, Artistic Director of the Gstaad Menuhin Festival, reflects on his 24-year tenure, emphasizing the current era of transformation in classical music. He highlights the importance of privately funded events in driving innovation. backstageclassical.com/ueber-wandel...

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Turkish pianist and composer Fazıl Say discusses music in turbulent times and political engagement. Despite facing prison sentences and concert cancellations, he remains committed to artistic and social expression. backstageclassical.com/ich-sorge-mi...

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Anna Netrebko’s 30-year operatic career could have inspired a compelling documentary. Instead, the film she shared on Instagram feels more like a PR piece. Notably, Justus Frantz, known for his pro-Putin stance, provides commentary. backstageclassical.com/film-zum-bue...

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Exclusive: Universal Edition is leaving its historic Vienna Musikverein office after 110 years. Rising rent and strategic shifts drive the move. With expiring rights and composer departures, its future remains uncertain. backstageclassical.com/auszug-eines...

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

Donald Trump announced on Truth Social plans to remove Kennedy Center board members, including chairman David M. Rubenstein, and appoint himself. The center disputes his authority to enforce this. backstageclassical.com/trump-plant-...

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

Monday is Newsletter Day! Today, it’s all about the pros and cons of building a new opera house in Hamburg, further cuts to cultural programming on the radio, a surprised double bassist, and the "how" of applause. backstageclassical.com/vom-opern-hs...

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

Bremen has chosen a design for the Glocke’s renovation, but is it well thought out? The plan adds a chamber hall and event space, but does Bremen need small upgrades or a major revamp? Costs range from €53M to €88M. backstageclassical.com/bremens-neue...

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Further reduction of cultural programming on the radio. This time at WDR: The program Scala is being replaced by a repeat of the show Westart. backstageclassical.com/wdr-streicht...

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Klaus-Michael Kühne plans to gift Hamburg a new opera. While enthusiasm is high, key questions arise: Will it truly benefit Hamburg’s music scene or mainly boost Kühne’s prestige? Concerns include potential whitewashing of his company’s Nazi past. backstageclassical.com/einige-frage...

submitted 24 days ago • 0 comments

The City of Hamburg and the Kühne Foundation have apparently agreed on the planning of a new opera house. backstageclassical.com/einigung-auf...

submitted 24 days ago • 1 comment

Disruptive applause between symphony movements is rising, often more about self-expression than respect for the music. Axel Brüggeggemann criticizes this trend, linking it to audience ignorance and egoism. backstageclassical.com/ey-lasst-uns...

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

In a press statement, Daniel Barenboim announced that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. However, he intends to continue performing. backstageclassical.com/barenboim-er...

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Hamburg’s opera patron Klaus-Michael Kühne has put his €330 million donation for a new opera house on hold. Critics fear influence and risks. Talks are set to continue after the election. backstageclassical.com/ja-nein-viel...

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

Double bassist Georg Breinschmid reflects on the Netflix documentary The Only Girl in the Orchestra, which portrays Orin O’Brien, the first female bassist in the New York Philharmonic. backstageclassical.com/niemand-trug...

submitted 26 days ago • 0 comments

Axel Ranisch’s The Gambler sets Prokofiev’s opera on Mars, inspired by Elon Musk’s visions. Despite creative ideas, the production feels flat. Nicholas Carter conducts precisely but lacks brilliance. @staatsoper-stgt.bsky.social backstageclassical.com/ein-bisschen...

submitted 27 days ago • 0 comments

Conductor Johannes Klumpp sees Haydn as constant self-development. In the BackstageClassical podcast, he explains Haydn‘s impact on music history and the role of political support for free culture. backstageclassical.com/haydn-neu-en...

submitted 27 days ago • 0 comments

BackstageClassical explores the GEMA funding dispute in a new Alles klar, Klassik? podcast. Axel Brüggemann talks to key figures, including GEMA’s Michael Duderstädt, BDKV’s Johannes Everke, and composer Franz Martin Olbrisch. backstageclassical.com/der-gema-dee...

submitted 29 days ago • 1 comment

Professional orchestras lack musicians with disabilities, highlighting a gap in inclusion. Models, proving that diversity enriches the artistic landscape. Inclusion isn't charity—it’s a long-overdue right. backstageclassical.com/die-hinkende...

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

Hamburg is close to finalizing plans for a new opera house at Baakenhöft. Billionaire Klaus-Michael Kühne may fund up to 330M. Contracts are nearly ready, with completion expected between 2030 and 2032. backstageclassical.com/verhandlunge...

submitted 30 days ago • 0 comments

At Vienna’s Volksoper, choreographer Andreas Heise and conductor Omer Meir Wellber merge Mozart’s Requiem with Viktor Ullmann’s The Emperor of Atlantis, composed in the Theresienstadt ghetto. What an evening! backstageclassical.com/umarme-mich-...

submitted 31 days ago • 0 comments

EXCLUSIVE: The Friends of Bayreuth claim their 1Million donation was rudely rejected, but a letter from festival leaders Jagels and Wagner, obtained by BackstageClassical, contradicts this. Read it here: backstageclassical.com/exklusiv-der...

submitted 32 days ago • 0 comments