Over 30,000 attend State Opera for All and BMW Classics in Berlin and London

BMW partnered with prestigious musical institutions to deliver free open-air concerts in two of Europe's cultural capitals last weekend. The events took place in London and Berlin, drawing impressive crowds to iconic locations in both cities.

In London, the BMW Classics concert, held on Saturday, July 13th, transformed Trafalgar Square into a grand musical venue. Approximately 10,000 people gathered to enjoy the London Symphony Orchestra's performance under the open sky. Meanwhile, Berlin's State Opera for all, spanning Friday and Saturday (July 12th and 13th), attracted over 20,000 music enthusiasts to Bebelplatz for live opera broadcasts and concerts.

The London performance, conducted by Duncan Ward, offered a rich and varied program. It began with Emmanuelle Chabrier's lively "Joyeuse marche," followed by Brahms' spirited "Rondo alla zingarese." The highlight of the evening was the world premiere of Joanna Lee's "beams.bellows.bounds," a piece specially commissioned for the event. This work, part of the LSO's Discovery programme, brought together the orchestra and 50 young musicians from East London, showcasing the event's commitment to nurturing new talent. The concert concluded with Stravinsky's enchanting score for the ballet Petrushka.

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Expanding its reach beyond the physical audience, the London concert was streamed live to an additional 10,500 viewers worldwide via the London Symphony Orchestra's YouTube channel and Facebook page. This digital offering will remain available for 90 days two weeks after the concert, allowing even more music lovers to experience the performance.

In Berlin, the 18th edition of State Opera for all presented a two-day musical extravaganza. Friday evening featured a live broadcast of Marc-André Dalbavie's latest work, "Melancholy of Resistance," at Bebelplatz. This innovative production, directed by David Marton and cinematographer Chris Kondek, blended techniques from musical theatre and cinema, creating a unique visual and auditory experience. Despite challenging weather conditions, including storm warnings and rain, around 1,000 people gathered at Bebelplatz to join in the celebration alongside the audience in the opera house.

Saturday's event in Berlin showcased the Staatskapelle Berlin in a traditional open-air concert. This performance marked a significant moment as it was the first under the baton of Christian Thielemann, the incoming General Music Director. The program featured Richard Wagner's Overture to "Tannhäuser und der Sängerkrieg auf Wartburg" and Richard Strauss's "Eine Alpensinfonie." The concert received a standing ovation from the 20,000-strong audience at Bebelplatz and was also streamed live worldwide.

Adding to the inclusive nature of the event, the Opera Children's Orchestra performed before the main concert, presenting works by Dvořák, Schumann, and Ellington, with Maria Kokareva as the soloist.

Ilka Horstmeier, a Board Member of BMW AG, emphasized the importance of these events in fostering cultural exchange and social cohesion. She noted how Bebelplatz was transformed into a place of unity and shared experience, reflecting the values of diversity and cosmopolitanism that are crucial in today's world.

This year's State Opera for all held additional significance as it marked the end of Matthias Schulz's tenure as Artistic Director of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden. Schulz, who served for seven years, expressed his gratitude and emotion at the event's success, praising it as a true representation of "opera for ALL."

Looking ahead, the next Opera for all event is scheduled for July 27, 2024, in Munich. This upcoming performance will feature a live broadcast of Puccini's "Tosca," directed by Kornél Mundruczó and conducted by Andrea Battistoni and Oksana Lyniv, promising another spectacular celebration of music and community.