Staatskapelle Berlin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Staatskapelle Berlin |
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Pierre Boulez and the Staatskapelle at the Musikverein, April 2009
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| Former name | Kurbrandenburgische Hofkapelle Königlich Preußische Hofkapelle |
| Founded | 1570 |
| Location | Berlin, Germany |
| Music director | Christian Thielemann |
The Staatskapelle Berlin is a very old and famous orchestra from Germany. It is the main orchestra for the Berlin State Opera, a big opera house in Berlin. This orchestra is one of the oldest in the world! For a long time, until 1918, it was called the Royal Orchestra because it played for the king.
Contents
A Long History of Music
The Staatskapelle Berlin started a very long time ago, in 1570. That's over 450 years ago! Joachim II Hector, Elector of Brandenburg created rules for an orchestra at his court. In 1701, the rulers of Brandenburg became kings of Prussia. So, the orchestra became known as the "Royal Prussian Court Orchestra." It had about 30 musicians.
Playing for the Public
The orchestra became connected to the Royal Court Opera in 1742. This opera house was started by Frederick the Great. Famous musicians like Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach and Franz Benda worked with the orchestra.
The orchestra played its first public concert on March 1, 1783. This was outside of the royal courts. Johann Friedrich Reichardt led this concert. Later, when Giacomo Meyerbeer became the Kapellmeister (music director) in 1842, the orchestra grew. They started having yearly concerts for people who bought tickets. The orchestra also performed new music by famous composers like Richard Wagner and Felix Mendelssohn.
Modern Times and Famous Performances
The orchestra's music director, called the Staatskapellmeister, also leads the Berlin State Opera. From 1945 to 1990, the orchestra was in East Berlin. This meant it was part of East Germany.
Daniel Barenboim was the Staatskapellmeister for many years. He was given the special title of "conductor for life" in 2000. In July 2013, the orchestra played at the BBC Proms for the first time. They performed all four operas of Der Ring des Nibelungen. This was the first time the complete Ring cycle was played in one Proms season.
In January 2017, the orchestra and Barenboim performed all the symphonies by Anton Bruckner at Carnegie Hall. This was the first time all of Bruckner's symphonies were played live in the United States. In July 2017, the orchestra was the first non-UK orchestra to play both completed symphonies by Edward Elgar at the Proms in one season. Barenboim and the orchestra also made many recordings.
In January 2023, Daniel Barenboim stepped down as the orchestra's music director because of his health. In September 2023, Christian Thielemann was chosen as the new music director. He officially started his role on September 1, 2024.
Orchestra Leaders
Many talented people have led the Staatskapelle Berlin over the centuries. Here is a list of some of the main conductors:
- Johann Friedrich Agricola (1759–1775)
- Johann Friedrich Reichardt (Hofkapellmeister, 1775–1794)
- Bernhard Anselm Weber (1816–1820)
- Gaspare Spontini (1820–1841)
- Giacomo Meyerbeer (1842–1846)
- Otto Nicolai (1848–1849)
- Robert Radecke (Hofkapellmeister, 1871–1887)
- Joseph Sucher (1888–1899)
- Richard Strauss (1899–1913)
- Leo Blech (Hofkapellmeister, 1913–1920)
- Erich Kleiber (1923–1934)
- Clemens Krauss (1935–1936)
- Herbert von Karajan (1941–1945)
- Joseph Keilberth (1948–1951)
- Erich Kleiber (1954–1955)
- Franz Konwitschny (1955–1962)
- Otmar Suitner (1964–1990)
- Daniel Barenboim (1992–2023)
- Christian Thielemann (2024–present)
Honorary Conductors
Some conductors are given special titles because of their great work with the orchestra.
- Otmar Suitner (1990)
- Pierre Boulez (2005)
- Zubin Mehta (2014)
- Daniel Barenboim – Honorary chief conductor (2024)
See also
In Spanish: Orquesta Estatal de Berlín para niños
