There is an inexorable Crescendo that echoes through the Opera house. A swell of critical voices have to sound Daniel Barenboim as dissonance in the ears. Former and current employees of the house before throwing the world’s acclaimed music Director, to spread through his behavior, a climate of fear unter den Linden. A dozen spoke to the Online magazine “Van”, anonymously, out of fear of career disadvantages. “The Poltergeist” is the name of the much-discussed contribution, his subtitle: “Who’s afraid of Daniel Barenboim?”

The accusations against the hitherto unchallenged leader of the state Opera house are extensive and exceed a level that you like an exasperated boss on bad days. Systematically Barenboim is to have musicians in rehearsals humiliated. Academy students no longer came at him quickly to the end of their career, because the Maestro putting up with you suddenly, “if he conducts”. Of his personal staff Barenboim call for a permanent easement, otherwise the angry attacks threatened. “He has crossed the line to me hundreds of times, me below the belt personally offended”, said a former employee of the Barenboim Foundation in “Van”. Even against physical attacks Barenboim not to shrink back.

The complaints about the Maestro are no longer anonymous

Listening to the Echo of two weeks ago published article, out you will hear different topics: First Insider of the classic operation, the research is not surprising. The atmosphere at the state Opera house can be a tense and highly explosive, when Barenboim is present, is one of the open secrets of the capital of culture. To talk about it, but not easily.

As a Central figure in the global classical music business is a finely woven network of relationships and dependencies around Barenboim exists. He can promote careers or sanding. No one wants to forfeit with him – and that is also delicate in a man of sharp intellect like a large claim to power. May seconds of his wrath decide on the prospects of young artists?

play In the state orchestra, is considered to be highly attractive. Barenboim led the orchestra, without a doubt, since 1992, on a world-class level. The pay is by the Maestro at the Federal policy-reached co-payments (“Kanzler-allowance”) in the exclusive area. If fame and money come from the boss, are the musicians ready to hear about some of it. But that doesn’t seem to work with the Staatskapelle longer. The state Opera as a reaction to the “Van”-article with: “Daniel Barenboim does not respond to such an article, based solely on anonymous denunciations,.”

From the Community

Daniel Barenboim is an excellent musician, but he’s not as unique, as he accepts of himself. The world is not poor to exceptional conductors.

…writes user patatasbravas

Now the first musician to log in with the name. About Willi Hilgers, who was until 2013 the solo timpanist of the Staatskapelle, and today, the Bavarian state Opera plays. Barenboim’s year-long humiliation should have led him to health problems such as depression and high blood pressure. Hilgers is expressed in the program BR-Klassik to his medical records, and Barenboim’s leadership style, on the net he finds the consent of the former colleagues of Martin Reinhardt and Beate Schubert.

follow-up question may no longer urges taboo

Why now something to light, of which all those Involved have always known? This is reminiscent of MeToo, even if authoritarian practices and sexualized violence are two different things. The time for discussion is yet ripe. The power acquired by the General music Director of the Staatsoper far beyond his actual sphere of responsibility, no barriers.

For many years, Under the Linden, there are virtually no separation of powers. Directors are tolerated as long as you follow Barenboim’s your choice. A work of art may not always be democratic, a public Institution, but may transform in any of the Fürstenhof. Barenboim and the Staatsoper are inseparable – a condition that must lead to hardening. Especially if the forces of the heads of slacking and there are no expectations for the period after 2022. Until then, Barenboim’s contract, it is the year of the 80. Birth tags.

The growing resentment statements against Berlin’s only world star may not take the cultural policy of the Federal government and the Land lightly. She has to answer for that in addition to the city of a Tsar’s castle resides. Now she must save his life’s work in front of those who want to overthrow him from the Pedestal. Because of Barenboim’s critics believe, to find such hearing. Culture Senator Klaus Lederer should care about the mood at the state Opera and the Parties to the table. The only way to ensure that Barenboim gets a worthy Finale.

the search for a successor or successors may no longer be taboo. A time is coming to an end, a new one begins. Barenboim himself has chosen already the ideal dramaturgy: once again he wants to conduct Wagner’s “Ring”. Then his contract runs out, and God the father abdicates.

Barenboim has expressed to the allegations against him: that He was as a conductor is a dictator, the control speed and volume. “But when you talk about the human handling, I am everything.” The state chapel of the stand closed behind him. Klaus Lederer has been active. The culture Senator, expect that the charges against Barenboim will be discussed in a staff meeting, and an offer for dialogue will be created, informed his spokesman.

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Berlin state Opera snow in the morning

Frederik Hanssen

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