Daniel Barenboim resigns as Berlin Staatsoper music director

Daniel Barenboim has today announced his resignation from the role of general music director of Berlin's Staatsoper Unter den Linden, effective from the end of this month. After 30 years in the role, the Argentinian conductor and pianist is leaving the role due to ill health.

The news follows Barenboim’s announcement in October last year of his intention to take ‘a step back’ from performance due to ‘a serious neurological condition’. In this earlier statement, the conductor mentioned a need to ‘focus on [his] physical well-being as much as possible.’

In a statement released today, Barenboim said (translated): ‘Unfortunately, my health has deteriorated significantly in the last year. I can no longer provide the performance that is rightly demanded of a general music director.’

Barenboim adds that his years with the orchestra ‘have inspired us musically and personally in every respect. I believe that the Staatsoper and I were very lucky for each other. I am particularly happy and proud that the Staatskapelle chose me as chief conductor for life. We have become a musical family over the years and will remain so.’

Born in Buenos Aires and now based in Berlin, 79-year-old Barenboim has been general music director of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden since 1992, where he also held the role of artistic director from 1992 to August 2002. He was awarded the role of principal conductor for life with the Staatskapelle Berlin in March 2003 and last year received Gramophone’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his work both as a conductor and pianist, as well as his humanitarian work founding the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra.

Barenboim leaves the statement open-ended, expressing his appreciation towards members of the Staatsoper and Staatskapelle, before closing with ‘Of course, as long as I live, I will remain closely connected to music and I am willing to work as a conductor in the future, especially with the Staatskapelle Berlin.’