Bühnen Bern Unveils 2025/26 Season, Welcomes New Chief Conductor
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- Bühnen Bern Unveils 2025/26 Season, Welcomes New Chief Conductor
Bern, Switzerland – Bühnen bern, the city’s premier performing arts organization, has announced its 2025/2026 season, a diverse program spanning opera, drama, dance, and symphonic music. The announcement also marks the arrival of Alevina ioff, the company’s new chief conductor of the opera, succeeding Nicholas Carter, who is departing for stuttgart.
Alevina Ioff Takes the Helm
Ioff, formerly of Berlin, expressed her enthusiasm for joining Bühnen Bern and her admiration for the Bern Symphony Orchestra (BSO). Speaking at a press conference, Ioff described the city theater’s building as “wonderful” and praised the city’s calm atmosphere. Ioff previously conducted the New Year’s concert in 2024 and is slated to lead a concert on the Bundesplatz in august.
Ioff,who left prominent positions in Russia in 2022,characterized the theater as a “Church of the Arts.” While not explicitly stated, her departure from Moscow coincided with the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Ioff highlighted three works she will musically oversee: Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut” (directed by Anna Bergmann), Verdi’s ”La forza del Destino” (directed by Julia Lwowski), and Humperdinck’s “Hänsel and gretel” (staged by Raimund orfeo Voigt). She noted that these works share a common theme of individuals, notably women and children, striving for freedom from oppressive circumstances.
“Stagione” Model Implemented to Address Funding Challenges
The 2025/2026 program announcement comes amid ongoing financial constraints. Bühnen Bern faces structural underfunding and a reduction in direct subsidies, resulting in a budget decrease of approximately 1.5 million francs. To mitigate these challenges, the theater will remain dark for 20 evenings, and the number of opera and spectacle productions will be reduced.
To maximize efficiency, Bühnen Bern will adopt a ”Stagione” production model, common in western Switzerland. This approach involves performing individual productions for a shorter, more concentrated period, with performance dates scheduled closer to the premiere. The Vidmar halls will not be affected by these changes. Theater officials say subscribers should not notice any difference.
According to Bühnen Bern, the “Stagione” model will allow for savings in technology costs due to reduced set construction and dismantling. The changes will affect the company’s approximately 500 employees, with some technicians reducing their workload or retiring.
Season Highlights: Confronting Complex Themes
The heads of drama, opera, dance, and symphonic music divisions presented the season’s highlights, emphasizing the diverse range of experiences planned for the city theater, casino, and Vidmarhallen. The season’s themes encompass emancipation, freedom, humanity, and democracy, reflecting the organization’s commitment to engaging with contemporary issues.
The season program is detailed in two booklets, one for the Bern Symphony Orchestra and another for opera, acting, and ballet.An introductory conversation titled “Stand against simplification” features division leaders discussing the role of theater in a complex world.Questions posed include: “How do we meet our world at a time when our democracy is attacked?” (Roger Vontobel,acting director); “What is stronger: the individual or fate?” (Rainer Karlitschek,opera director); “Dance becomes an emancipative act” (Isabelle Bishop,Ballet director); and “This is something special about the theater: you go there and get one or two or three hours on one thing,relate to another world” (Felicitas Zürcher,chief dramaturge acting).
Additional programs focusing on young audiences,French-speaking productions,and chamber music will be released soon.
The program spans from antiquity to the present and future, exploring themes of empathy and social learning. Drawing on Lessing’s “Hamburg Dramaturgy,” Bühnen Bern aims to cultivate viewers’ ability to understand and share the feelings of others. The theater seeks to be a place where audiences can experience different perspectives and develop a deeper understanding of the human condition.
Bühnen Bern serves as a vital hub for artistic talent, fostering national and international collaborations. The organization participates in co-productions and hosts residencies for writers and composers, contributing to the creation of new works. The theater also engages in international networking, participating in festivals and tours.
Personal Recommendations
Among the many offerings of the 2025/2026 season, several productions stand out. These include:
- “Manon Lescaut” by Giacomo Puccini, directed by Anna Bergmann, exploring the ongoing struggle for women’s emancipation and freedom.
- “L’Agamennone” by Salvatore Sciarrino, a new opera commissioned by Bühnen Bern, depicting the return of Agamemnon and the ensuing revenge of Clytemnestra.
- “Carmen” by Jiri Pokorny, an interpretation of women and history, with music ranging from Schtschedrin to Bizet.
- “The Oresteia” by Aeschylus, staged by Anja Behrens, delving into the depths of the human condition.
- “two flowers in winter” by Delphine Pessin, a story of connection between a young intern and an elderly resident in a retirement home.
Continuing the Current Season
Before the new season begins, audiences can still experience “Lookoftheday,” a production addressing fast fashion and textile waste, and “Service Master Studer,” a new adaptation of Friedrich Glauser’s novel.
Here’s a Q&A-style blog post, crafted to be both informative and SEO-pleasant, based on the provided article about Bühnen Bern’s upcoming season:
Bühnen Bern 2025/26 Season: Your Guide to Opera, Drama, and More
welcome to a deep dive into the exciting 2025/2026 season at Bühnen Bern! As a seasoned content writer and a passionate arts enthusiast, I’m thrilled to break down every detail for you. Let’s explore what this premier Swiss performing arts institution has in store.
general Questions About Bühnen Bern’s new Season
Q: What is Bühnen Bern and what kind of performances does it offer?
A: Bühnen Bern is Bern,Switzerland’s premier performing arts organization. They present a diverse repertoire, including opera, drama, dance, and symphonic music, providing a rich cultural experience for the city and its surrounding community. The organization produces both classic works and new commissions, often with an eye toward contemporary themes.
Q: What’s new for the 2025/2026 season at Bühnen Bern?
A: The 2025/2026 season promises a thrilling mix of classic and contemporary works, all under the new leadership of alevina Ioff, the new Chief Conductor for the opera. Expect performances grappling with themes of emancipation, freedom, humanity, and democracy. Key productions span from Puccini’s “Manon Lescaut” to a new opera commission,”L’Agamennone”.
Q: Who is Alevina Ioff and what role does she play in the upcoming season?
A: Alevina Ioff is the newly appointed Chief Conductor of Opera at Bühnen Bern. Her arrival marks a significant shift, as she succeeds Nicholas Carter. she will musically oversee several key productions, bringing her unique viewpoint and expertise to the Bern Symphony Orchestra and the operatic offerings.
Diving Deeper into the Season’s Offerings
Q: Can you give me a preview of some of the key productions planned for the 2025/2026 season?
A: Absolutely! Here are some highlights to look forward to:
“Manon Lescaut” by Giacomo Puccini: Directed by Anna Bergmann, this opera is poised to explore themes of women’s emancipation and freedom.
“L’Agamennone” by Salvatore Sciarrino: A new opera commissioned by Bühnen Bern. It depicts the return of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra’s revenge.
“Carmen” by Jiri Pokorny: An interpretation focused on women and history.
“the Oresteia” by Aeschylus: Staged by Anja Behrens, promising a deep dive into the human condition.
Q: Where can I find details about the Bern Symphony Orchestra season?
A: The season programme is detailed in two booklets. One is dedicated to the Bern Symphony Orchestra. This is a great resources to find the exact dates, locations, details, and other information.
Q: What themes will the 2025/2026 season explore?
A: The season will focus on themes of:
Emancipation
freedom
Humanity
Democracy
These themes reflect a commitment to engaging with contemporary issues and providing meaningful experiences for audiences.
Q: What are the main venues for Bühnen Bern performances?
A: Performances will take place at the city theater, the casino, and the Vidmarhallen.
Operational Changes and Artistic vision
Q: Why is Bühnen Bern implementing the “Stagione” production model?
A: Bühnen Bern is dealing with funding challenges, including structural underfunding and reduced subsidies. the “Stagione” model, common in western Switzerland, is being implemented to address these financial constraints. This approach involves shorter, concentrated runs for individual productions to save on costs, particularly in set construction and dismantling.
Q: what impact will the “Stagione” model have on audiences and employees?
A: Bühnen Bern officials say that subscribers should not notice any difference. The changes involve remaining dark for 20 evenings and reducing the number of opera and spectacle productions. Some technicians may reduce their workload or retire.
Q: How does Bühnen Bern contribute to the art world beyond its performances?
A: Bühnen Bern actively fosters national and international collaborations. They participate in co-productions, host residencies for writers and composers, and engage in international networking, including participating in festivals and tours. They aim to be a hub for artistic talent and the creation of new works.
Additional Insight
Q: Where is Bühnen Bern located?
A: Bühnen Bern is located in Bern, Switzerland.
Q: Where can I stream or watch performances from Bühnen Bern?
A: The article doesn’t mention streaming services. It’s best to check Bühnen Bern’s official website for the most current information about possible live streams or recordings.
Q: What should I do if I’m interested in seeing a performance?
A: Visit the Bühnen Bern website for tickets, schedules, and additional information. Keep an eye out for release dates of the season’s detailed program booklets.
I hope this detailed Q&A provides a comprehensive look at the upcoming season at Bühnen Bern. Enjoy the performances!
