Barenboim gives up more shows

Barenboim gives up more shows

News

norman lebrecht

January 26, 2023

The Staatsoper Unter den Linden has let it be known that its former music diector has withdrawn from more operas, due to poor health.

Bertrand de Billy will take over Carmen, while Thomas Guggeis will conduct Samson et Dalila, followed by a full Ring cycle in April.

Comments

  • Suggeritore says:

    I think outgoing is the right term. He is still our GMD until next Wednesday!

  • RW2013 says:

    The bemused expression of the cellist at 0:45 says it all about this laboured conducting.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cll9JaOum6w

  • MacroV says:

    Opera is taxing for even a younger, healthier man (or woman). It makes sense.

  • nun says:

    Is Guggeis the youngest conductor to do a Ring cycle in a single week? (plus a second time in April)

    • Peter says:

      Hard to say. But he’s definitely the worst one to do it in a week

    • olivia nordstadt says:

      i believe that anton seidl did so in 1879 at the same age as guggeis – i am not sure that it was over a week – but it was over a short period; of course he did not have to refer to the score so much since he was the ring score’s chief copyist

    • Achim Mentzel says:

      Wasn‘t Leinsdorf 27 when he did it at the Met?

  • Liam Allan-Dalgleish says:

    I adore that man as musician and man

  • fierywoman says:

    The orchestra would sound EXACTLY the same if they played the same thing without him.

  • Alfred Wachs says:

    About time. Lets recall Haitink’s class act. I saw Guggeis here in Vienna; awkward fellow but excellent conductor and deserving of his meteoric rise. How refreshing…

  • TITUREL says:

    If that clip is representative of Tom’s tempi, this Ring will take about 24 hours instead of the usual 15.

  • AB says:

    The clip is not representative: Guggeis’ Ring was much more vivid, dramatic and fast, as well as singer-friendly, than slow, pasty and though great Ring of Thielemann. Both were very interesting.

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