In a personal statement today, Daniel Barenboim announced his resignation as General Music Director of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden.
Image above: Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Photo: Marcus Ebener
Statement by Daniel Barenboim (from german language): “Unfortunately, my health has deteriorated significantly over the past year. I can no longer provide the performance that is rightly demanded of a General Music Director. Therefore, I ask for your understanding that I am giving up this position as of 31 January 2023. I ask the Senator for Culture to terminate the contract between us on the aforementioned date.
I have been the General Music Director of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden Berlin since 1992. The years have inspired us musically and personally in every respect. I believe that the Staatsoper and I have been very fortunate for each other. I am particularly pleased and proud that the Staatskapelle has chosen me as its principal conductor for life. We have become a musical family over the years and will remain so. I hold all the members of the Staatskapelle in high esteem, even those who have since left. But I also express my admiration for the singers, the members of the choir and all the other staff of the Staatskapelle, especially my personal assistant Antje Werkmeister.
I was also particularly pleased that the Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and the President of the Bundestag Wolfgang Schäuble accompanied me so pleasantly. I also thank the Senator for Culture Klaus Lederer, who stood by me even in difficult times. Of course, I will remain closely connected to music – as long as I live – and am willing to continue to work as a conductor in the future, also and especially with the Staatskapelle Berlin.”
Matthias Schulz (from german language): “The Staatsoper Unter den Linden is indebted to Daniel Barenboim! For more than 30 years, he has lent his inexhaustible strength as an artistic personality with worldwide charisma to this house and its Staatskapelle Berlin. It is with great respect that Daniel Barenboim is now taking this step in the spirit of the institution and stepping down from his duties as General Music Director at the end of this month. One can only imagine how difficult this step must have been for Daniel Barenboim. We all wish Daniel Barenboim the very best for his further recovery! Daniel Barenboim will remain forever associated with this house and the Staatskapelle Berlin.
