Philharmonia Orchestra London

On the 25th anniversary of Giuseppe Sinopoli’s death, the Philharmonia Orchestra London returns to Berlin after a long absence—to the city closely associated with the work of the Italian conductor and composer. As principal conductor, Sinopoli had a decisive influence on the orchestra from 1984 to 1994 and left an artistic legacy that continues to resonate today.

Under the baton of Robin Ticciati, the Philharmonia Orchestra dedicates a special concert evening to its former chief conductor. Richard Wagner’s powerful “Prelude and Liebestod” from *Tristan und Isolde* is followed by *Pour un Livre à Venise*, a rarely performed key work by Sinopoli—a poetic musical reflection on memory, history, and identity. The program concludes with Antonín Dvořák’s colorful Symphony No. 8, whose melodic richness and life-affirming power form a striking contrast to Sinopoli’s modern musical language.

This concert is far more than a tribute: it honors Giuseppe Sinopoli as an extraordinary conductor, composer, and European intellectual, and invites the audience to rediscover his multifaceted musical legacy.

The venue in Berlin lends this concert special symbolic significance. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, a defining chapter of Giuseppe Sinopoli’s artistic career began in Germany. As chief conductor of the Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden (1992–2001), he played a decisive role in shaping the musical life of the reunified country. His life ultimately came to a tragic end in Berlin: On April 20, 2001, he passed away during a performance of Verdi’s *Aida* at the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Shortly before that, he had made music history by becoming the first Italian conductor to lead the complete *Ring of the Nibelung* at the Bayreuth Festival.

Thus, this concert evening is far more than a tribute to a great artist. It honors Giuseppe Sinopoli as a visionary conductor, an original composer, and an extraordinary European intellectual who built bridges between music, history, and culture. Twenty-five years after his death, his legacy lives on in his works, his interpretations, and his tireless pursuit of artistic and intellectual depth.