Around the Music Festival

Conductor Daniel Barenboim announced his retirement as music director of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden (Berlin State Opera) on January 6.

Barenboim, who has been in charge since 1992 and has led the Berlin State Opera since German reunification, will retire on January 31, 2023. His successor has not been announced.

Barenboim turned 80 on November 15 last year, and following spinal surgery in February, he was diagnosed with a serious neurological disease.

After then, he cancelled his conducting of the Staatsoper Berlin’s new production of “The Ring of the Nibelung” in October, the Staatskapelle Berlin’s tour of Asia in November, and a memorial concert scheduled for his birthday.

On New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, he conducted Beethoven’s “Ninth” Symphony. He also took the podium with the Berlin Philharmonic on January 6, 7, and 8 to perform with Martha Argerich, showing that he is still in good health.

After that, however, he will return to a life of recuperation, and has canceled his appearance at the “Mozart Week” music festival in Salzburg in late January.

Photo：Berliner Philharmoniker