Berlin Philharmonic resumes performances in Salzburg, securing "Ring" cycle concerts through 2030.

In a significant development, the Berlin Philharmonic, under the leadership of its chief conductor Kirill Petrenko, is set to return to the Salzburg Easter Festival after an eight-year absence. This renewed partnership, according to Petrenko, marks the closing of many circles and is a highlight of his artistic career.

Petrenko made this statement at a press conference in Salzburg, where he announced the Berlin Philharmonic's plans for a multi-year project to perform Richard Wagner's "Ring Cycle" at the festival, beginning in 2026. The "Ring Cycle" will see the orchestra perform the four operas – "Das Rheingold", "Die Walküre", "Siegfried", and "Götterdämmerung" – over a span of fourteen years, with the cycle expected to be completed by 2030.

The "Ring Cycle" holds a special place in the history of the Salzburg Easter Festival, having been part of its early programs. This return to the roots of the festival is a testament to its enduring appeal and the Berlin Philharmonic's commitment to maintaining its cultural legacy.

Kirill Serebrennikov, a renowned Russian director now living in German exile, will direct the "Ring Cycle" project at the festival. Serebrennikov has already filmed scenes for this project in Iceland this summer, setting the stage for an epic production.

Each of the four operas in the "Ring Cycle" will showcase a different continent or region of the world, promising a diverse and immersive experience for audiences. The "Ring Cycle" will begin at the Salzburg Easter Festival in 2026 with "Das Rheingold".

The "Ring Cycle" will be interrupted in 2028 by Arnold Schoenberg's opera "Moses und Aron", for which the conductor has not yet been publicly announced.

The Berlin Philharmonic was previously the orchestra of the Salzburg Easter Festival until 2012, and from 2013, the orchestra switched to the Easter Festival in Baden-Baden. However, with this return, the orchestra and the city of Mozart are renewing their partnership, a sentiment echoed by Petrenko, who considers this project as the absolute highlight of his artistic career, apart from his engagement with the Berlin Philharmonic.

The Salzburg Easter Festival was founded in 1967 by conductor Herbert von Karajan, making it a prestigious and historic event in the world of classical music. This latest development promises to add another chapter to the festival's rich history and further solidify its position as a cultural powerhouse.

Serebrennikov described his project as a "total work of art", "community", and "boundlessness", setting high expectations for this ambitious undertaking. As we await the start of the "Ring Cycle" in 2026, the anticipation among music lovers and the cultural community is palpable.

Berlin Philharmonic resumes performances in Salzburg, securing "Ring" cycle concerts through 2030.