BackstageClassical
@backstageclassical.bsky.social
News from the world of classical music: Opera and concert - edited by the magazine www.backstageclassical.com run by Axel Brüggemann.
China increasingly positions itself as the world’s cultural crossroads. While global powers drift apart, Beijing and Shanghai host ensembles from all ideological fronts — from Gergiev’s Mariinsky Orchestra to Berlin and Vienna’s Philharmonic tours. backstageclassical.com/das-reich-de...
Das Reich der kulturellen Mitte - BackstageClassical
China profitiert vom Chaos der Welt. Auch kulturell. In Peking gastieren sowohl Valery Gergiev und sein Mariinksy Orchester als auch die Berliner Philharmoniker mit Kirill Petrenko.
backstageclassical.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:54 PM
China increasingly positions itself as the world’s cultural crossroads. While global powers drift apart, Beijing and Shanghai host ensembles from all ideological fronts — from Gergiev’s Mariinsky Orchestra to Berlin and Vienna’s Philharmonic tours. backstageclassical.com/das-reich-de...
Dear German shoolsystem, … backstageclassical.com/liebe-deutsc...
Liebe deutsche Schule, - BackstageClassical
Die Anforderungen an deutschen Schulen werden immer geringer. Das ist ein Fehler mit großen Folgen, findet Axel Brüggemann.
backstageclassical.com
January 13, 2026 at 8:42 AM
Dear German shoolsystem, … backstageclassical.com/liebe-deutsc...
Today’s newsletter kicks off with a look ahead at what will be important in the new year, a plea for more depth, new classical protagonists in new media, and a whole lot of world politics in art! backstageclassical.com/donald-yanni...
Donald, Yannick, Lorenzo und Bert - BackstageClassical
Heute geht es im Newsletter um einen Ausblick auf das, was im neuen Jahr wichtig wird, ein Plädoyer für mehr Tiefe und um neue Klassik-Protagonisten.
backstageclassical.com
January 12, 2026 at 11:28 AM
Today’s newsletter kicks off with a look ahead at what will be important in the new year, a plea for more depth, new classical protagonists in new media, and a whole lot of world politics in art! backstageclassical.com/donald-yanni...
Trump’s second term saw aggressive power grabs: talk of seizing Venezuela’s president, plans to annex Greenland, and turning Washington’s Kennedy Center into a partisan, patriotic propaganda venue. backstageclassical.com/venezuela-gr...
Venezuela, Grönland, Kennedy-Center - BackstageClassical
Donald Trump entführt den Präsidenten von Venezuela und überlegt, Grönland zu annektieren. Das Kennedy Center in Washington hat er schon lange in seine Propagandamaschine integriert. Die kleine Geschi...
backstageclassical.com
January 11, 2026 at 12:52 PM
Trump’s second term saw aggressive power grabs: talk of seizing Venezuela’s president, plans to annex Greenland, and turning Washington’s Kennedy Center into a partisan, patriotic propaganda venue. backstageclassical.com/venezuela-gr...
Konrad and Louis are supposed to shake up ARD-Klassik and make viewers cringe with secondhand embarrassment. Meanwhile, Opera Bert shows that classical music can be just as meaningful as painting fingernails. backstageclassical.com/wie-konrad-u...
Wie Konrad und Louis sich zum Bert machen - BackstageClassical
Konrad und Louis sollen die ARD-Klassik aufmischten und sorgen für Fremdscham. Dabei macht Opera Bert vor, dass Klassik so bedeutsam sein kann wie das Lackieren von Fingernägeln.
backstageclassical.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:34 PM
Konrad and Louis are supposed to shake up ARD-Klassik and make viewers cringe with secondhand embarrassment. Meanwhile, Opera Bert shows that classical music can be just as meaningful as painting fingernails. backstageclassical.com/wie-konrad-u...
The advertising executive Bruce Crawford, former head of the Metropolitan Opera and later chairman of Lincoln Center, shaped New York’s opera and music scene for decades. He died at 96 in Manhattan. backstageclassical.com/er-machte-di...
Er machte die Metropolitan Opera stark - BackstageClassical
Der Werber Bruce Crawford, einst Chef der Metropolitan Opera und später Vorsitzender des Lincoln Center, prägte New Yorks Opern- und Musikwelt über Jahrzehnte. Er starb mit 96 Jahren in Manhattan.
backstageclassical.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:21 PM
The advertising executive Bruce Crawford, former head of the Metropolitan Opera and later chairman of Lincoln Center, shaped New York’s opera and music scene for decades. He died at 96 in Manhattan. backstageclassical.com/er-machte-di...
Russian-born conductor Semyon Bychkov will become music director of the Paris Opera in August 2028, after serving as director-designate from 2026, succeeding Gustavo Dudamel. backstageclassical.com/bychkow-folg...
Bychkow folgt auf Dudamel in Paris - BackstageClassical
Der russischstämmige Dirigent Semyon Bychkov wird neuer Musikdirektor der Opéra national de Paris.
backstageclassical.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Russian-born conductor Semyon Bychkov will become music director of the Paris Opera in August 2028, after serving as director-designate from 2026, succeeding Gustavo Dudamel. backstageclassical.com/bychkow-folg...
The Salzburg Festival plans a temporary steel venue during renovations, inspired by Munich’s Isarphilharmonie and Verbier’s Salle des Combins, to host concerts and concert operas. backstageclassical.com/plaene-fuer-...
Pläne für Interim in Salzburg konkretisieren sich - BackstageClassical
Die Isarphilharmonie und das Festival in Verbier sind Modelle für die Ausweichspielstätten der Salzburger Festspiele.
backstageclassical.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:56 AM
The Salzburg Festival plans a temporary steel venue during renovations, inspired by Munich’s Isarphilharmonie and Verbier’s Salle des Combins, to host concerts and concert operas. backstageclassical.com/plaene-fuer-...
Venezuela’s disputed president Nicolás Maduro was arrested. Artists like Gabriela Montero celebrated cautiously, while observers urged patience, democracy and free elections. How will Gustavo Dudamels react? backstageclassical.com/nach-festnah...
Nach Festnahme Maduros: Montero jubelt, aber wie reagiert Dudamel? - BackstageClassical
Nach Maduros Festnahme zeigen Exilkünstler Hoffnung und Spannung: Gabriela Montero jubelt, Gustavo Dudamel muss nun Haltung zur Demokratie zeigen.
backstageclassical.com
January 4, 2026 at 3:19 PM
Venezuela’s disputed president Nicolás Maduro was arrested. Artists like Gabriela Montero celebrated cautiously, while observers urged patience, democracy and free elections. How will Gustavo Dudamels react? backstageclassical.com/nach-festnah...
BackstageClassical rolls into the new year: with a look ahead at what will matter in classical music—and a look back at the Vienna circus concert on New Year’s Day. backstageclassical.com/wider-den-kl...
Wider den Klassik-Zirkus - BackstageClassical
Viele Klassik-Veranstalter wollen die Erwartungen des Publikums bedienen und verkaufen die Musik an das Event. Aber gerade in dieser Zeit brauchen wir Wissen, Abgründe und Gegenrede — so dringend wie ...
backstageclassical.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:04 AM
BackstageClassical rolls into the new year: with a look ahead at what will matter in classical music—and a look back at the Vienna circus concert on New Year’s Day. backstageclassical.com/wider-den-kl...
BackstageClassical thanks all its readers. We are taking a winter break until January 12 and wish you a peaceful holiday season and a good start to the New Year. Here are a few tips for further reading and listening.
Your BackstageClassical team. backstageclassical.com/backstagecla...
Your BackstageClassical team. backstageclassical.com/backstagecla...
BackstageClassical in den Weihnachtsferien - BackstageClassical
Was für ein Jahr: Turbulent, aufregend und streitbar. Nun machen wir bis zum 12.Januar Weihnachtsferien. Aber hier sind einige Dinge, die Sie in den Wintertagen lesen und hören können.
backstageclassical.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:27 PM
BackstageClassical thanks all its readers. We are taking a winter break until January 12 and wish you a peaceful holiday season and a good start to the New Year. Here are a few tips for further reading and listening.
Your BackstageClassical team. backstageclassical.com/backstagecla...
Your BackstageClassical team. backstageclassical.com/backstagecla...
Lorenzo Viotti will become the new General Music Director of the Zurich Opera House, taking over musical leadership from the 2028/29 season. Intendant Matthias Schulz praises Viotti’s profile and his close connection to the house. He succeeds Gianandrea Noseda. backstageclassical.com/muskelpaket-...
Muskelpaket für Oper Zürich - BackstageClassical
Lorenzo Viotti wird neuer GMD am Opernhaus in Zürich: »Eine große Freude und ein Privileg«.
backstageclassical.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Lorenzo Viotti will become the new General Music Director of the Zurich Opera House, taking over musical leadership from the 2028/29 season. Intendant Matthias Schulz praises Viotti’s profile and his close connection to the house. He succeeds Gianandrea Noseda. backstageclassical.com/muskelpaket-...
Just how much Advent is actually in Advent when television makes music? That’s the question Guido Krawinkel asks. backstageclassical.com/advent-adven...
Advent, Advent, kein Lichtlein brennt… - BackstageClassical
Viel wird vom Bildungsauftrag der Öffentlich-Rechtlichen geredet – aber an entscheidenden Punkten versagt der. Das zeigt ein Blick auf das Thema Advent. Da sieht es zappenduster aus. Eine Polemik von ...
backstageclassical.com
December 21, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Just how much Advent is actually in Advent when television makes music? That’s the question Guido Krawinkel asks. backstageclassical.com/advent-adven...
Vienna’s New Year Concert shines as ever, but backstage the Vienna Philharmonic faces criticism for slipping quality, arrogant leadership, weak strategy, fading influence, and resistance to change. backstageclassical.com/prosit-neuja...
»Prosit Neujahr!« - BackstageClassical
Die Wiener Philharmoniker stehen in der Kritik. Nun verteidigt der Vorstand seinen Kurs und erklärt, seine Kritiker wollen sich nur wichtigmachen. Na, dann ist doch alles gut.
backstageclassical.com
December 19, 2025 at 9:44 AM
Vienna’s New Year Concert shines as ever, but backstage the Vienna Philharmonic faces criticism for slipping quality, arrogant leadership, weak strategy, fading influence, and resistance to change. backstageclassical.com/prosit-neuja...
Dear Sabine Meyer,… backstageclassical.com/liebe-sabine...
Liebe Sabine Meyer, - BackstageClassical
Brief an die Klarinettistin Sabine Meyer, die ihrer Karriere am Ende des Jahres beenden wird.
backstageclassical.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Dear Sabine Meyer,… backstageclassical.com/liebe-sabine...
After nine years of construction, numerous problems and many catastrophes, the Beethovenhalle in Bonn… backstageclassical.com/habemus-beet...
Habemus Beethovenhalle! - BackstageClassical
Nach neun Jahren Bauzeit, etlichen Problemen und vielen Katastrophen hat die Beethovenhalle in Bonn wiedereröffnet – mit dem Beethovenorchester und Dirk Kaftan.
backstageclassical.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:19 AM
After nine years of construction, numerous problems and many catastrophes, the Beethovenhalle in Bonn… backstageclassical.com/habemus-beet...
The former SPÖ Minister of Education, Sonja Hammerschmid, will take over the management of the Bundestheater Holding in Vienna as of April 1, 2026. She succeeds Christian Kircher, who has led the world’s largest theater group since 2016. backstageclassical.com/molekularbio...
Molekularbiologin übernimmt Österreichische Bundestheater - BackstageClassical
Die frühere SPÖ-Bildungsministerin Sonja Hammerschmid übernimmt mit 1. April 2026 die Geschäftsführung der Bundestheater-Holding in Wien. Sie folgt auf Christian Kircher, der den größten Theaterkonzer...
backstageclassical.com
December 17, 2025 at 4:31 PM
The former SPÖ Minister of Education, Sonja Hammerschmid, will take over the management of the Bundestheater Holding in Vienna as of April 1, 2026. She succeeds Christian Kircher, who has led the world’s largest theater group since 2016. backstageclassical.com/molekularbio...
Dear Placido Domingo, … backstageclassical.com/lieber-placi...
Lieber Plácido Domingo, - BackstageClassical
Brief an Placido Domingo, der inzwischen fast überall auftritt – selbst zur Sommereröffnung in Schladming.
backstageclassical.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Dear Placido Domingo, … backstageclassical.com/lieber-placi...
Podcast in English: Tan Dun receives Bonn’s Beethoven Friendship Award. Hearing Beethoven’s 6th Symphony in Hunan’s rice fields in 1973 changed his life. He sees Beethoven as a symbol of freedom, peace, and the universal spirit of music. backstageclassical.com/beethoven-is...
»Beethoven ist ein Schamane« - BackstageClassical
Tan Dun erhält den Beethoven Friendship Award in Bonn. Der Komponist liest in Beethovens Musik die Botschaft von Freiheit und Weltfrieden. Ein Podcast von BackstageClassical.
backstageclassical.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Podcast in English: Tan Dun receives Bonn’s Beethoven Friendship Award. Hearing Beethoven’s 6th Symphony in Hunan’s rice fields in 1973 changed his life. He sees Beethoven as a symbol of freedom, peace, and the universal spirit of music. backstageclassical.com/beethoven-is...
How stupid do you think we are, anyway? The publicity agency for the ARD series “Mozart/Mozart” is feigning rapturous reviews. In reality, it’s being panned. FAZ journalist Jan Brachmann even senses a threat to democracy — rightly so!
backstageclassical.com/der-mozart-b...
backstageclassical.com/der-mozart-b...
Der Mozart-Beschiss - BackstageClassical
Die Agentur der ARD-Serie »Mozart/Mozart« gaukelt jubelnde Kritiken vor. In Wahrheit hagelt es Verrisse. FAZ-Mann Jan Brachmann wittert sogar Demokratiegefährdung – zu Recht!
backstageclassical.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:52 AM
How stupid do you think we are, anyway? The publicity agency for the ARD series “Mozart/Mozart” is feigning rapturous reviews. In reality, it’s being panned. FAZ journalist Jan Brachmann even senses a threat to democracy — rightly so!
backstageclassical.com/der-mozart-b...
backstageclassical.com/der-mozart-b...
Dear Matthias Moosdorf, … backstageclassical.com/lieber-matth...
Lieber Matthias Moosdorf, - BackstageClassical
Brief an den Cellisten und AfD Mann Matthias Moosdorf, dem vorgeworfen wird, den »Hitlergruß« gezeigt zu haben.
backstageclassical.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Dear Matthias Moosdorf, … backstageclassical.com/lieber-matth...
Monday is Newsletterday: backstageclassical.com/ard-gibt-sic...
ARD gibt sich die Mozart-Kugel – und andere Merkwürdigkeiten - BackstageClassical
Heute gibt sich die ARD die Mozartkugel, Kassel legt seine AIDA aufs Trockendock, wir nehmen die Klassik-PR-Maschinen unter die Lupe, und die gute Nachricht ist: Maria Kolesnikowa ist frei!
backstageclassical.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Monday is Newsletterday: backstageclassical.com/ard-gibt-sic...
Despite financial pressure, theaters, orchestras, and cultural institutions from central Germany are insisting on the preservation of cultural coverage at MDR. They have now written an open letter. backstageclassical.com/kulturschaff...
Kulturschaffende fordern Erhalt der MDR-Kulturberichterstattung - BackstageClassical
Trotz Spardrucks pochen Theater, Orchester und Kulturinstitutionen aus Mitteldeutschland auf den Erhalt der Kulturberichterstattung beim MDR. Nun haben sie einen offenen Brief geschrieben.
backstageclassical.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Despite financial pressure, theaters, orchestras, and cultural institutions from central Germany are insisting on the preservation of cultural coverage at MDR. They have now written an open letter. backstageclassical.com/kulturschaff...
Ernst Strobl was a sharp, fearless critic: direct, ironic, and combative. We met in Salzburg in 2001, later worked together from Berlin. He loved debate, even in retirement, and died at 72. Poreč was his heaven on earth. Farewell. backstageclassical.com/der-kritiker...
Der Kritiker Ernst Strobl ist tot - BackstageClassical
Der ehemalige Redakteur der Salzburger Nachrichten Ernst P. Strobl starb nach kurzer schwerer Krankheit – ein Nachruf von Axel Brüggemann.
backstageclassical.com
December 14, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Ernst Strobl was a sharp, fearless critic: direct, ironic, and combative. We met in Salzburg in 2001, later worked together from Berlin. He loved debate, even in retirement, and died at 72. Poreč was his heaven on earth. Farewell. backstageclassical.com/der-kritiker...
Belarus frees opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova and 122 others, including Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski, after US talks with Lukashenko; Kolesnikova has left the country for Lithuania. backstageclassical.com/kolesnikowa-...
Kolesnikowa ist frei - BackstageClassical
In Belarus ist die prominente Oppositionspolitikerin Maria Kolesnikowa nach mehr als vier Jahren Haft freigelassen worden. Das bestätigten Oppositionskreise und Menschenrechtsorganisationen.
backstageclassical.com
December 13, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Belarus frees opposition leader Maria Kolesnikova and 122 others, including Nobel laureate Ales Bialiatski, after US talks with Lukashenko; Kolesnikova has left the country for Lithuania. backstageclassical.com/kolesnikowa-...