NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra / Thomas Hengelbrock

Elbphilharmonie Opening Festival

This concert has already taken place! 18.70 | 30.80 | 48.40 | 70.40 | 84.70
This concert has already taken place! 18.70 | 30.80 | 48.40 | 70.40 | 84.70
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra © Michael Zapf
Maria Bengtsson
Maria Bengtsson
Pavol Breslik
Pavol Breslik © Pavol Breslik
Thomas Hengelbrock
Thomas Hengelbrock © Florence Gardinier
  • Doors open 10:00

  • Start 11:00

Description

On the first Sunday after the official opening of the Elbphilharmonie, the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra presents another special concert: Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy’s choral symphony »Lobgesang«. It was premiered in Leipzig in 1849, during the festivities commemorating the invention of book printing by Johannes Gutenberg 400 years earlier. It is a festive title, ideally suited for such an exceptional event.

»Lobgesang« celebrates the glory of God, the confidence in an unshakable faith – even in times of crisis – and it celebrates the enlightenment of Christianity – with references to the first printed words in the bible. »Lord, is the night over soon?« asks the tenor in a haunting phrase, to which the soprano and chorus answer: »The night is over!« In a double celebration, the Elbphilharmonie offers a grand array of musicians and singers that will demonstrate the exceptionally nuanced acoustics of the Grand Hall.

Mendelssohn’s singular work is in two parts. The first is structured like a classic symphony with a variety of instrumental shadings; the second part is in the form of an oratorio, exploring the full acoustical potential, from intimate solos to a massive choral finale.

The works that have been selected for the first half of the concert – compositions from Monteverdi to Britten – demonstrate the full sonic glory of the new concert space.

Performers

NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester

NDR Vokalensemble

Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks

Maria Bengtsson soprano

Hanna-Elisabeth Müller soprano

Alex Potter countertenor

Pavol Breslik tenor

conductor Thomas Hengelbrock

Programme

Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
Symphony No. 2 in B-flat major, Op. 52 »Hymn of Praise«

und Werke von Claudio Monteverdi, Benjamin Britten u.a.

Series

Operas, Oratorios and Choirs

Festival

Elbphilharmonie Opening

Promoter: NDR

During your visit

Elbphilharmonie Plaza

A public viewing platform on the 8th floor of the Elbphilharmonie

More about the Plaza

Food and Drink

Before the concert and in the interval

Find out more

Coughing, clapping, chatting

Tips for your concert visit

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