Grand romantic melodies and dazzling timbres: the eighth symphony concert at the Staatsoper Unter den Linden combines two masterpieces of orchestral literature. Works by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and Maurice Ravel take listeners on a journey from the romantic concert tradition to the impressionistic soundscapes of the early 20th century.
The concert program centers on Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's Violin Concerto in E minor, one of the most important instrumental concertos of the 19th century. Since its creation in the 1840s, it has been one of the most popular works in the repertoire. In it, Mendelssohn combines extraordinary melodic beauty with harmonic sophistication and rhythmic vitality. The solo part is performed by the renowned French violinist Renaud Capuçon, who interprets the work with his virtuoso and at the same time lyrical playing style.
Maurice Ravel's ballet music for "Daphnis et Chloé" opens up a completely different musical cosmos. The work was composed in 1912 for the famous Ballets Russes and is considered one of the most important examples of French impressionism in music. Floating soundscapes, sophisticated orchestral colors, and the use of a wordless choir create an atmospherically dense soundscape.
In it, Ravel tells a story from Greek mythology: the love story of Daphnis and Chloe. Without words, solely through timbres and orchestral creativity, an impressive musical panorama is created.
François-Xavier Roth will conduct the evening's performance, working with the Staatskapelle Berlin and the Staatsoper Chorus to create a program that combines romantic expressiveness with impressionistic musical poetry.
June 8, 2026
