Concert premiere 2025: New formats and large classics on offer!

Concert premiere 2025: New formats and large classics on offer!

On March 24, 2025, the concert hall will start its next season with a festive culinary celebration. This event should not only herald the beginning of the season, but also reflect the influence of Corona pandemic on the cultural industry. 30,112 subscriptions have already been sold in the current season, which shows that the figures are approaching the pre-Corona level of 2019/20 (33,169 subscriptions). For comparison: In the previous year's 2020/21 season, only 24,000 subscriptions were sold, which underlines the recovery of the industry.

For the 2025/26 season, around 550 concerts and 65 subscription cycles are planned. Particular attention was paid to new formats. Among them are "Schubert for everyone", "Aventures" (modern classics), "String" (chamber music) and "sound mobile" (concerts for babies up to 12 months). Klaus Mäkelä will also lead one of the new subscription cycles.

artists and programs

The program includes portrait artists such as Jakub Józef Orlinski, Dorothee Oberlinger, Julian Prégardien and Anna Mabo. Other announced artists include Hilary Hahn, Gautier Capuçon, Vikingur ólafsson, Asmik Grigorian, Jonas Kaufmann and Anna Lapwood. On November 28th, a large orchestral concert under the direction of Markus Poschner is on the program, which illustrates the diversity and attractiveness of the season.

Despite these positive developments, the RSO is faced with financial challenges. However, director Naske expresses confidence in a permanent solution for the sound body and emphasizes that established festivals such as resonances (January 17 to 25, 2026), mixed sentence (21st to 23rd May 2026) and Vienna will continue to take place. He speaks of logistical challenges, but remains optimistic, even if there are risks.

sustainable effects of pandemic

The Corona pandemic continues to leave deep traces in the cultural industry. As mdr.de , many organizers have to struggle with continuing consequences of the crisis. Financial reserves are largely used up and the staffing stock has decreased. Production costs have increased by 40 percent since the beginning of pandemic, and personnel costs and artist fees have also been more than doubled.

The managing director of the Federal Association of the Concert and Event Industry (BDKV), Johannes Everke, emphasizes that the industry has proven resilience, but still suffers from financial burdens. A central problem are the increased energy and logistics costs as well as the departure of specialists that affect the revival of the industry.

future challenges

Returning to normal visitor numbers remains a challenge. In many regions, maximum limits for the utilization of event locations are still in force, which has negative effects on sales and visitor numbers. For example, only up to 25% in Bavaria may be busy in Bavaria, while in Hamburg the number of people in large interiors is strictly limited, as