BackstageClassical
@backstageclassical.bsky.social
News from the world of classical music: Opera and concert - edited by the magazine www.backstageclassical.com run by Axel Brüggemann.
Milo Rau’s “Trial against Germany” ends by urging review of an AfD ban. Rather than expanding perspective, it stages a curated pseudo-reality where all actors stay in role, reinforcing—not challenging—existing narratives. backstageclassical.com/milos-kack-t...
Milos Kack-Theater - BackstageClassical
Milo Raus Prozess gegen Deutschland plädiert am Ende dafür, ein Verbot der AfD zu überprüfen. In Wahrheit verzerrt die Inszenierung aber unsere Wirklichkeit. Eine Einordnung.
backstageclassical.com
February 17, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Milo Rau’s “Trial against Germany” ends by urging review of an AfD ban. Rather than expanding perspective, it stages a curated pseudo-reality where all actors stay in role, reinforcing—not challenging—existing narratives. backstageclassical.com/milos-kack-t...
In Stuttgart, Hamburg and Bochum, clashes between artistic freedom and audience dissent reveal a growing tension: interventions against fascism provoke boos, debate and even conflict. backstageclassical.com/buh-ist-nich...
Buh ist nicht gleich Buh - BackstageClassical
In Stuttgart, Hamburg und Bochum prallen Kunstfreiheit und Widerspruch aufeinander: In der Oper wird Paul Celans »Todesfuge« ausgebuht, im Thalia-Theater verhandelt ein inszenierter Prozess rechtsextr...
backstageclassical.com
February 16, 2026 at 6:01 PM
In Stuttgart, Hamburg and Bochum, clashes between artistic freedom and audience dissent reveal a growing tension: interventions against fascism provoke boos, debate and even conflict. backstageclassical.com/buh-ist-nich...
Montay ist Newsletter-Day: Today featuring: the rescue of the opera, two new classical music books, plenty of boos, and lots of good news. backstageclassical.com/musikalische...
Musikalische Krise? Alles ist gut! - BackstageClassical
Der Newsletter von BackstageClassical. Heute mit: Der Rettung der Oper, zwei neuen Klassik-Büchern, allerhand Buhs und vielen guten Nachrichten.
backstageclassical.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:35 AM
Montay ist Newsletter-Day: Today featuring: the rescue of the opera, two new classical music books, plenty of boos, and lots of good news. backstageclassical.com/musikalische...
Cancellations for Milo Rau: Shortly before the start of the theater project “Trial Against Germany” in Hamburg, publicist Leonie Plaar and philosopher and AI ethicist Rainer Mühlhoff withdrew their participation in protest over the casting. backstageclassical.com/absagen-fuer...
Absagen für Milo Rau - BackstageClassical
Kurz vor Beginn des dreitägigen Theaterprojekts Prozess gegen Deutschland am Hamburger Thalia Theater haben die Publizistin Leonie Plaar und der Philosoph und KI-Ethiker Rainer Mühlhoff ihre Teilnahme...
backstageclassical.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:21 AM
Cancellations for Milo Rau: Shortly before the start of the theater project “Trial Against Germany” in Hamburg, publicist Leonie Plaar and philosopher and AI ethicist Rainer Mühlhoff withdrew their participation in protest over the casting. backstageclassical.com/absagen-fuer...
Dear Sharon Stone, … backstageclassical.com/liebe-sharon...
Liebe Sharon Stone, - BackstageClassical
Sharon Stone kam zum Wiener Opernball und weinte vor den Kameras des ORF. Ein Sinnbild für eine Welt aus den Fugen.
backstageclassical.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:08 AM
Dear Sharon Stone, … backstageclassical.com/liebe-sharon...
Michael Wolffsohn’s new book reassesses Herbert von Karajan’s Nazi past using newly found archives. He argues Karajan was a “formal Nazi” but not ideologically committed. An XXL Podcast. backstageclassical.com/karajan-zwis...
Karajan zwischen Göring und Goebbels - BackstageClassical
War Karajan Nazi-Täter oder opportunistischer »Formal-Nazi«? Historiker Michael Wolffsohn zeichnet in »Genie und Gewissen« ein neues, widersprüchliches Bild. Hier erklärt er seine Ergebnisse im Backst...
backstageclassical.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Michael Wolffsohn’s new book reassesses Herbert von Karajan’s Nazi past using newly found archives. He argues Karajan was a “formal Nazi” but not ideologically committed. An XXL Podcast. backstageclassical.com/karajan-zwis...
Helmuth Rilling, a major postwar German conductor, died at 93. Founder of the Gächinger Kantorei shaped a humane, spiritual approach to music, completed all Bach cantatas in 1984, and championed modern sacred composers, influencing generations. backstageclassical.com/ein-diener-d...
Ein Diener der Musik - BackstageClassical
Er war ein Meister des musikalischen Denkens: Zum Tod des Dirigenten Helmuth Rilling
backstageclassical.com
February 12, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Helmuth Rilling, a major postwar German conductor, died at 93. Founder of the Gächinger Kantorei shaped a humane, spiritual approach to music, completed all Bach cantatas in 1984, and championed modern sacred composers, influencing generations. backstageclassical.com/ein-diener-d...
Leine booers, … backstageclassical.com/liebe-buhruf...
Liebe Buhrufer, - BackstageClassical
In Stuttgart an der Oper hat das Publikum gebuht, als auf der Bühne Celans Todesfuge gelesen wurde. Das ist blöde, aber verständlich.
backstageclassical.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Leine booers, … backstageclassical.com/liebe-buhruf...
During the Stuttgart Opera premiere of Wagner’s Meistersinger, Act III opened with Paul Celan’s Holocaust poem Death Fugue instead of music. Some audience members shouted objections. Johannes Lachermeier criticizes the disruption. backstageclassical.com/buhs-stoeren...
Buhs stören das Mahnen wider das Verbrechen - BackstageClassical
Samstagabend im Stuttgarter Opernhaus: Es gibt Zwischenrufe in der „Meistersinger“-Premiere, mitten in der Rezitation eines Gedichts – was war da geschehen? Ein Versuch den Abend einzuordnen von Johan...
backstageclassical.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:27 PM
During the Stuttgart Opera premiere of Wagner’s Meistersinger, Act III opened with Paul Celan’s Holocaust poem Death Fugue instead of music. Some audience members shouted objections. Johannes Lachermeier criticizes the disruption. backstageclassical.com/buhs-stoeren...
Dear Simon Strauß, … backstageclassical.com/lieber-simon...
Lieber Simon Strauß, - BackstageClassical
Der Journalist Simon Strauß setzt setzt sich für Markus Hinterhäuser ein. Aber sein Engagement könnte auch kontraproduktiv wirken,
backstageclassical.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:39 AM
Dear Simon Strauß, … backstageclassical.com/lieber-simon...
Biography of a brilliant eccentric: “Pianist – Musician – Free Spirit” is the title of a book in which musicologist Rüdiger Albrecht explores the many different facets of Friedrich Gulda. An exclusive advance excerpt at BackstageClassical. backstageclassical.com/11147-2/
Der auf den Grenzen tanzt - BackstageClassical
Biografie eines genialen Exzentrikers: »Pianist – Musiker – Freigeist« heißt ein Buch, in dem sich der Musikwissenschaftler Rüdiger Albrecht den ganz unterschiedlichen Facetten von Friedrich Gulda wid...
backstageclassical.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:39 PM
Biography of a brilliant eccentric: “Pianist – Musician – Free Spirit” is the title of a book in which musicologist Rüdiger Albrecht explores the many different facets of Friedrich Gulda. An exclusive advance excerpt at BackstageClassical. backstageclassical.com/11147-2/
The conductor defends the clumsy waltz version of Florence Price at the New Year’s Concert — and in doing so also reveals himself. backstageclassical.com/dear-yannick...
Dear Yannick Nézet-Séguin, - BackstageClassical
Translation:The conductor defends the clumsy waltz version of Florence Price at the New Year’s Concert — and in doing so also reveals himself.
backstageclassical.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:12 PM
The conductor defends the clumsy waltz version of Florence Price at the New Year’s Concert — and in doing so also reveals himself. backstageclassical.com/dear-yannick...
The Semperoper Dresden is mourning the death of tenor Aaron Pegram. As the opera house announced on Monday, the long-time ensemble member died completely unexpectedly on Sunday in Dresden. backstageclassical.com/tenor-aaron-...
Tenor Aaron Pegram verstorben - BackstageClassical
Die Semperoper Dresden trauert um den Tenor Aaron Pegram. Wie das Opernhaus am Montag mitteilte, starb das langjährige Ensemblemitglied am Sonntag in Dresden völlig unerwartet.
backstageclassical.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:14 PM
The Semperoper Dresden is mourning the death of tenor Aaron Pegram. As the opera house announced on Monday, the long-time ensemble member died completely unexpectedly on Sunday in Dresden. backstageclassical.com/tenor-aaron-...
Translation into English:
Monday is newsletter day: today featuring a New Year’s hoax, further layoffs in music criticism, glimpses behind the scenes at the Salzburg Festival, and a sporting disappointment.
backstageclassical.com/schlittenfah...
Monday is newsletter day: today featuring a New Year’s hoax, further layoffs in music criticism, glimpses behind the scenes at the Salzburg Festival, and a sporting disappointment.
backstageclassical.com/schlittenfah...
Schlittenfahren mit der Musik - BackstageClassical
heute mit einem Neujahrsschwindel, weiteren Entlassungen in der Musikkritik, mit Blicken hinter die Salzburger Festspiel-Kulissen und einer sportlichen Enttäuschung.
backstageclassical.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:15 AM
Translation into English:
Monday is newsletter day: today featuring a New Year’s hoax, further layoffs in music criticism, glimpses behind the scenes at the Salzburg Festival, and a sporting disappointment.
backstageclassical.com/schlittenfah...
Monday is newsletter day: today featuring a New Year’s hoax, further layoffs in music criticism, glimpses behind the scenes at the Salzburg Festival, and a sporting disappointment.
backstageclassical.com/schlittenfah...
The board of the Vienna Philharmonic rejects criticism of the arrangement of Florence Price’s “Rainbow Waltz” — and in doing so, only makes the situation worse. backstageclassical.com/lieber-danie...
Lieber Daniel Froschauer, - BackstageClassical
Der Vorstand der Wiener Philharmoniker weist Kritik am Arrangement von Florence Prices »Rainbow Waltz« zurück – und macht die Sache damit nur noch schlimmer.
backstageclassical.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:15 PM
The board of the Vienna Philharmonic rejects criticism of the arrangement of Florence Price’s “Rainbow Waltz” — and in doing so, only makes the situation worse. backstageclassical.com/lieber-danie...
Letter to … the fired Critic of the Washington Post … backstageclassical.com/lieber-micha...
Lieber Michael Andor Brodeur, - BackstageClassical
Der Musikkritiker Michael Andor Brodeur muss die Washington Post verlassen. Kein Grund, traurig zu sein!
backstageclassical.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:21 AM
Letter to … the fired Critic of the Washington Post … backstageclassical.com/lieber-micha...
Experts say the Vienna Philharmonic’s 2026 New Year’s Concert used an orchestral Rainbow Waltz wrongly credited to Florence Price. Critics argue it barely matches her original , raising concerns about misuse of the legacy of a marginalized Black composer. backstageclassical.com/haben-die-wi...
Haben die Wiener Philharmoniker Florence Price nur »benutzt«? - BackstageClassical
War der Rainbow Walz von Florence Price nur ein Etikettenschwindel beim Neujahrskonzert der Wiener Philharmoniker? Fachleute sprechen von groben Verfälschungen – und befürchten ein Geschäft auf dem Rü...
backstageclassical.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Experts say the Vienna Philharmonic’s 2026 New Year’s Concert used an orchestral Rainbow Waltz wrongly credited to Florence Price. Critics argue it barely matches her original , raising concerns about misuse of the legacy of a marginalized Black composer. backstageclassical.com/haben-die-wi...
The Chairwoman of the German Music Council, Antje Valentin, wants to collaborate with the Opus Klassik. That is not a good idea. backstageclassical.com
BackstageClassical
backstageclassical.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:11 AM
The Chairwoman of the German Music Council, Antje Valentin, wants to collaborate with the Opus Klassik. That is not a good idea. backstageclassical.com
Analysis: Members of the Salzburg Festival’s board fear a loss of trust in Intendant Markus Hinterhäuser. Pressure is growing from key political figures, raising doubts about whether he can remain in office until his contract ends. backstageclassical.com/es-geht-um-d...
Es geht um die Wurst – was der Zoff um Hinterhäuser wirklich bedeutet - BackstageClassical
Mitglieder des Festspiel-Kuratoriums befürchten einen Vertrauensverlust. Dabei ist die Verstimmung über die Suche einer neuen Schauspiel-Leitung nur die Spitze eines lange schwelenden Konfliktes um de...
backstageclassical.com
February 4, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Analysis: Members of the Salzburg Festival’s board fear a loss of trust in Intendant Markus Hinterhäuser. Pressure is growing from key political figures, raising doubts about whether he can remain in office until his contract ends. backstageclassical.com/es-geht-um-d...
Update: Power struggle at the Salzburg Festival: After an extraordinary board meeting called by Governor Karoline Edtstadler, political leaders sharply criticized artistic director Markus Hinterhäuser. backstageclassical.com/verliert-hin...
Hinterhäuser unter Druck - BackstageClassical
Das Kuratorium der Salzburger Festspiele beraumte eine außerordentliche Sitzung an. Bürgermeister Auinger zeigt sich irritiert über den Intendanten, Landeshauptfrau Edtstadler zeigt ihm »die gelbe Kar...
backstageclassical.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Update: Power struggle at the Salzburg Festival: After an extraordinary board meeting called by Governor Karoline Edtstadler, political leaders sharply criticized artistic director Markus Hinterhäuser. backstageclassical.com/verliert-hin...
Tensions escalate at the Salzburg Festival: Director Markus Hinterhäuser faces political backlash over opaque hiring moves and alleged favoritism. An emergency board meeting signals eroding trust. backstageclassical.com/verliert-hin...
Verliert Hinterhäuser den politischen Rückhalt? - BackstageClassical
Irritationen um die Besetzung der Schauspielleitung: Das Kuratorium der Salzburger Festspiele beraumt eine außerordentliche Sitzung an, und Bürgermeister Auinger zeigt sich irritiert über den Intendan...
backstageclassical.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Tensions escalate at the Salzburg Festival: Director Markus Hinterhäuser faces political backlash over opaque hiring moves and alleged favoritism. An emergency board meeting signals eroding trust. backstageclassical.com/verliert-hin...
Monday is newsletterday: backstageclassical.com/mit-pauken-u...
Mit Pauken und »Trumpeten« - BackstageClassical
Der Newsletter von BackstageClassical mit allerhand musikalischen Misstönen aus den USA, Finanzengpässen in Leipzig und einer klaren Positionierung in Sachen Nahost.
backstageclassical.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Monday is newsletterday: backstageclassical.com/mit-pauken-u...
Here’s the translation into English:
Tobias Kratzer premieres this evening in Hamburg with the opera “Monster’s Paradise.” He brings an old art form into the heart of our own time. A portrait.
backstageclassical.com/der-das-mons...
Tobias Kratzer premieres this evening in Hamburg with the opera “Monster’s Paradise.” He brings an old art form into the heart of our own time. A portrait.
backstageclassical.com/der-das-mons...
Der das Monster zähmt - BackstageClassical
Tobias Kratzer hat heute Abend in Hamburg Premiere mit der Oper »Monster‘s Paradise«. Er stellt die alte Kunst mitten in unsere Zeit. Ein Porträt.
backstageclassical.com
February 1, 2026 at 8:40 AM
Here’s the translation into English:
Tobias Kratzer premieres this evening in Hamburg with the opera “Monster’s Paradise.” He brings an old art form into the heart of our own time. A portrait.
backstageclassical.com/der-das-mons...
Tobias Kratzer premieres this evening in Hamburg with the opera “Monster’s Paradise.” He brings an old art form into the heart of our own time. A portrait.
backstageclassical.com/der-das-mons...
Dear Skadi Jennicke, … backstageclassical.com/liebe-skadi-...
Liebe Skadi Jennicke, - BackstageClassical
Leipzigs Oper steht vor dem Bankrott. Das liegt auch an der Kulturpolitik, die mutiger und klüger werden muss.
backstageclassical.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Dear Skadi Jennicke, … backstageclassical.com/liebe-skadi-...
Chen Reiss expresses concern about the growing politicization of culture in a BackstageClassical podcast. She stresses the importance of separating personal political views from artistic responsibility and calls Germany a safe place for Jews. backstageclassical.com/zubin-wir-br...
»Zubin, wir brauchen Dich in Israel!« - BackstageClassical
Die israelische Sopranistin Chen Reiss äußert sich im Podcast von BackstageClassical besorgt über die zunehmende Politisierung der Kultur. Sie hebt Deutschland als sicheren Ort für Juden hervor, kriti...
backstageclassical.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:41 AM
Chen Reiss expresses concern about the growing politicization of culture in a BackstageClassical podcast. She stresses the importance of separating personal political views from artistic responsibility and calls Germany a safe place for Jews. backstageclassical.com/zubin-wir-br...