marks the end of an era
Munich’s famous opera festival (Opernfestspiele) marks the end of an era this year. The event, which runs from June 24 to July 31, will be the last for both the director, Sir Peter Jonas, and musical director, Zubin Mehta, both of whom will be leaving their posts at the end of the season. In a fitting tribute to the two musical whizzes, the festival program will feature an extensive selection of 35 performances of 29 operas and two ballets. If you haven’t managed to get yourself a ticket, there is one blessing: on July 8, Oper für Alle will screen a free, live Nationaltheater performance of Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde onto a giant screen in front of the building. The following day, Zubin Mehta will conduct an open-air performance of Beethoven’s ninth symphony on Marstallplatz. Again, admission is free. And, who will replace Sir Peter Jonas? We’ll have more information on his successor, American conductor Kent Nagano, in the fall. See www.bayerische.staatsoper.de for full details on the event. <<<