Daniel Barenboim

On stage, the musicians of the Barenboim-Said Akademie in Berlin still play in perfect harmony. But inside, they are reeling. The recent escalation of fighting between Israel and Hamas poses the greatest existential challenge yet for the music academy, founded to build bridges between young Israeli and Arab musicians.

World-renowned conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim said on Jan. 6 he was stepping down as general musical director of Berlin's State Opera due to deteriorating health, marking the end of an era at the fabled institution.

As the "Guest Artist in Residence" of CSO ADA Ankara, Deutsche Grammophon artist, soprano Mojca Erdmann will meet art lovers in Ankara for the first time. Award-winning Italian pianist Riccardo Bovino will accompany the artist, who is regarded as one of the most impressive voices that Germany has gifted to the international music scene.

As part of the 50th Istanbul Music Festival, Austrian soprano Anna Prohaska will take the stage at the Atatürk Culture Center (AKM) on June 9. At the concert, she will share the stage with Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.

One of the world's most celebrated opera directors, Germany's Harry Kupfer, has died at the age of 84 in Berlin, his agency confirmed on Dec. 31
In a career spanning 44 years, Kupfer worked at opera houses across Germany and was chief director of Berlin's iconic Komische Oper for more than two decades.

Conductor Daniel Barenboim is in talks with Iran about a possible concert in Tehran, but his plans have drawn an angry response from Israel Israeli-Argentinian conductor Daniel Barenboim is hoping to take one of Germany's top orchestras to Iran to perform a concert there, the Berlin State Opera stated on Aug. 27, drawing angry protests from Israel.

This is the incredible story of a Bulgarian, who fled prosecution, then emigrated to the US, became Vice President of Sony International and eventually ended up winning a Grammy award.

Indian maestro Zubin Mehta will seek to inject what he says is some much-needed harmony into the world when he conducts the illustrious Vienna New Year’s Concert on Jan. 1.