(Berlin) The legendary pianist and conductor Daniel Barenboim, on hiatus for a few weeks due to illness, will conduct two New Year’s concerts in the German capital, the Staatsoper Berlin announced on Friday.
The Israeli-Argentinian maestro announced last October that he was suffering from a “serious neurological disease” and that he would withdraw from his activities in the coming months.
According to the Staatsoper press release, he will lead the 9e Beethoven’s symphony, during two concerts, December 31 at 7 p.m. local time and December 1er January at 4 p.m.
Daniel Barenboim, one of the greatest virtuosos of the XXe century, celebrated its 80th birthday on November 15th. But his direction of The Ring of the Nibelung by Richard Wagner at the Berlin State Opera, scheduled for that day, had been cancelled.
Last February and April, he had already given up on several commitments due to health problems.
The maestro has been the musical director of the Berlin State Opera and its orchestra, the Staatskapelle, for three decades and under contract until 2027.
Born in Argentina, Mr. Barenboim started on the international scene as a pianist at the age of 10, before becoming a leading conductor.
In particular, he created a foundation and an orchestra to promote cooperation between young musicians from Israel and Arab countries.