2024-08-24 05:10:52
Before the Bundesliga match between Gladbach and Leverkusen begins, opera star Anna Maria Kaufmann sings the German national anthem. And is sharply criticized for her performance.
Both the German Football League (DFL) and especially Anna Maria Kaufmann had certainly imagined it completely differently. The opera and musical singer performed the German national anthem before kick-off of the Bundesliga opening match between Borussia Mönchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen – but the performance did not go according to plan.
During the TV broadcast, Kaufmann was sometimes difficult to hear due to acoustic problems – either in the broadcast or directly in the stadium. But her performance itself also attracted criticism. The 59-year-old not only caused astonishment with her pronounced rolled “R”, but also her audibly idiosyncratic interpretation of the “Song of the Germans” received critical comments.
“And I thought Anna Maria Kaufmann could sing,” wrote one user on X about the performance. Another even said: “My ears are bleeding.” And another user wrote clearly: “A national anthem for an official opening leaves no room for vocal interpretation.”
While no negative reactions from fans in Borussia Park were heard in the TV broadcast, there was an increase in opinions expressed on social media.
“The most beautiful anthem in the world simply ‘ruined’ … what a pity …” [sic!] said another person at X. Someone else wrote: “I heard everything except the German national anthem. How can you spoil the anthem like that?! That’s almost a criminal offense.” [sic!].
Kaufmann already has experience with football performances: The artist has performed several times at international matches of the German national team, the first time in 1994 at the DFB match against Canada – a special moment for the Canadian-German singer.