EN
DE
IT
FR
ES
RU
JP
RO
© Dieter Nagl
Staatskapelle Berlin
Order tickets
April 2026 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | Sa | Su |
Great Encounter
Christian Thielemann
The recipient of the Federal Cross of Merit, former Karajan assistant, and declared favorite conductor of the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonics has already held numerous prestigious positions in his career – including General Music Director of the Munich Philharmonic, Chief Conductor of the Saxon State Orchestra Dresden, and Music Director of the Bayreuth Festival.
In 2026, Christian Thielemann returns to Munich – for the first time with the Berlin State Orchestra, which he has led as General Music Director of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden since 2024. Extraordinary performances can be expected during this guest appearance, particularly given the conductor’s special affinity for Richard Strauss.
He is captivated by both the richness of color and the pioneering steps toward musical modernity in the works of the Munich composer. Thielemann’s expertise, however, is not limited to conducting alone but also finds expression in publications, most recently with a personal literary reflection on the 75th anniversary of the composer’s death. These are excellent conditions for performing selected Strauss songs at the Isarphilharmonie – especially as Thielemann and the State Orchestra are accompanied by two of today’s most sought-after singers, Julia Kleiter and Konstantin Krimmel.
After the interval, the proven Beethoven specialist Thielemann and his new orchestra will perform Beethoven’s “Pastoral”: as a precursor to later program music, the composer based this symphony on the impressions of a city-dweller experiencing nature and rural surroundings.
Program and cast
Staatskapelle Berlin
Julia Kleiter, soprano
Konstantin Krimmel, baritone
Christian Thielemann, conductor
Program
Strauss: Selected Songs
Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F major op. 68 "Pastoral"
Isar Philharmonic
Isarphilharmonie
Munich’s most modern concert hall
Since the Isarphilharmonie opened in October 2021, it has quickly gained a reputation for its special atmosphere and excellent sound. The list of orchestras performing here reads like a veritable Who’s Who, headed by the Munich Philharmonic, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Munich Chamber Orchestra. High profile concert agencies see the auditorium as the perfect place for guest appearances by national and international orchestras and it also hosts jazz productions and large-scale popular music concerts of all genres.
But the Isarphilharmonie also has another string to its bow: it can be blacked out, making it the ideal venue for film screenings – with or without orchestral accompaniment. The auditorium is equipped with a large screen and top-class cinematic sound systems.
Architecture & acoustics
The building that houses the Isarphilharmonie is a steel structure with an internal volume of nearly 60,000 cubic metres. The concert hall itself can accommodate almost 2000 guests and is made from prefabricated solid wood elements. The walls are clad with black-stained softwood panels, while the stage and floors are made from light cedar wood for a striking contrast. The Isarphilharmonie at Gasteig HP8 was built by the general contractor NÜSSLI to the plans of architects gmp – Gerkan, Marg und Partner.
The Isarphilharmonie acoustics were created by Nagata Acoustics International – the team led by star acoustician Yasuhisa Toyota – who were also involved with the construction of the Elbphilharmonie Hamburg and the Philharmonie de Paris.
© Dieter Nagl
Related events