Classic Open Air: Munich’s Odeonsplatz Celebrates Musical Diversity with Trifonov and Batiashvili
A vibrant atmosphere and world-class performances continue to define Classic at Odeonsplatz, with this year’s event drawing thousands despite reduced capacity and ongoing renovations.
Munich’s Odeonsplatz is once again resonating with the sounds of classical music, as the annual Classic am Odeonsplatz festival unfolds. Despite a reduction of 1,000 available places each evening due to ongoing renovations – with scaffolding expected to remain until at least 2027 – approximately 7,000 tickets per evening were sold as early as January, demonstrating the enduring appeal of this open-air concert series.
A New Stage and Familiar Faces
The festival boasts a newly constructed arched stage, offering an improved viewing experience for attendees. Lisa Katharina Strohmeier, a concertgoer who won two tickets, secured a prime spot on the red sofa in the BR Classic lounge, eager to experience the “Musical Diversity” featuring works by Sergej Prokofiev and Richard Strauss. Strohmeier expressed particular excitement about seeing pianist Daniil Trifonov perform live, having previously only experienced the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra on the radio.
The event welcomed prominent figures including Katja Wildermuth, BR-Intendant, and Charlotte Knobloch, President of the Israelite Culture Community of Munich and Upper Bavaria. Actors Michaela May and Udo Wachtveitl, along with cabaret artists Angela Ascher and Martin Frank, were also in attendance, alongside Marek Wiechers, Munich’s new cultural officer.
Welser-Möst Returns with Strauss, Despite Health Challenges
This year’s program features performances by both the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Munich Philharmonic. Conductor Franz Welser-Möst, a renowned expert in the works of Richard Strauss, is set to lead the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra in a suite based on “Rosenkavalier.” His return is particularly poignant, as he has been battling cancer since autumn 2023 and has had to cancel recent concerts.
“Classic at Odeonsplatz remains the top-class classic event in Germany,” stated a senior official associated with the event. The festival, which began in 2000 with a brief hiatus in 2001 and a pandemic-induced cancellation in 2020, has become a cornerstone of Munich’s cultural calendar.
Trifonov and Batiashvili Headline Stellar Lineup
On Saturday, July 6th, Daniil Trifonov captivated audiences with his performance of Prokofiev’s third piano concerto. The following evening, July 13th, the Munich Philharmonic, under the baton of Lahav Shani, featured violinist Lisa Batiashvili performing Beethoven’s violin concerto. The July 13th performance was a complete sell-out.
The concerts are being broadcast via livestream on ARD’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/. A television recording will also be aired on BR and 3Sat.
The event benefited from favorable weather conditions this year, a stark contrast to the previous year when a storm disrupted a performance of Wagner’s “Valkyrie.” Wiechers, the new cultural officer, emphasized the “very special magic” of Classic on the Odeonsplatz, calling it a “lighthouse project” for the city.
For further information on broadcasts and the festival program, visit www.klassik-am-odeonsplatz.de.
