On 19 May 2025, the Deutsche Oper Berlin looked ahead to the 2025/26 season with a musical fanfare. Under the motto ‘What's coming up?’, interim artistic director Christoph Seuferle presented a gala concert that left the audience wanting more – with a programme full of contrasts, surprises and previews. From Mozart to Isolde's Liebestod, from rediscoveries to Detlev Glanert's children's opera DIE DREI RÄTSEL (The Three Riddles), there was something to stir the heart and curiosity. And the unanimous response from our circle of friends was: ‘There's a lot of good things coming!’

With the lively sound of the champagne chorus from DIE FLEDERMAUS still ringing in our ears, we moved to the festively illuminated Tischlerei, where over 180 guests took their seats at magnificently laid tables. The many long-standing companions and new friends of the Deutsche Oper were joined by important personalities from the world of opera. These included the newly appointed honorary member Doris Soffel and some of the stars of the coming season, such as Jonathan Tetelman, Federica Lombardi and Elena Tsallagova.

But this evening was not just about looking ahead to what lies ahead. It was also a moment of gratitude and farewell. After a welcome by Dr Heike Maria von Joest, chairwoman of the Friends of the Deutsche Oper, and the first delicious course of asparagus from Martin Hattenbach's kitchen, André Schmitz paid tribute to Dietmar Schwarz's 13 years as artistic director in a clever and touching speech. As someone who had accompanied Schwarz's directorship from the very beginning, André Schmitz's speech brought to life the milestones of an era that had shaped the Deutsche Oper Berlin in a special way. He praised Dietmar Schwarz's artistic courage and programmatic clarity, as well as his great talent as a facilitator who placed his complete trust in his artists.

After the main course, the evening really took off with a charming and successful charity auction led by Kilian Jay von Seldeneck. Whether it was a house concert, a role as an extra or a bouquet of flowers, the lots ensured lively bidding and hearty laughter. Particularly moving was the symbolic farewell bouquet for Silke Alsweiler-Lösch, who, as managing director of the Förderkreis since Schwarz took up his post as artistic director, was the heart of the association for many and has now left the Förderkreis to pursue new projects.

Thanks to generous donations and the proceeds from this auction, a total of around €43,500 has now been raised for the Deutsche Oper Berlin Foundation. This is a strong signal for the cultural participation of children and young people, whom the Deutsche Oper can continue to give access to consistently affordable tickets thanks to your donations.

We would like to thank all donors for their generous support and for the unforgettable atmosphere of an evening that was both the echo of an era and the prelude to the next act.