nero su nero (black on black): the title of Beat Furrer’s new orchestral work speaks of gradations of darkness, of the nuancing of light, the application of colour without colour, the stratification of pigments, of intensification.

A confusing plot with a happy ending – that’s Baroque opera, that’s Handel. And it’s the same with “Arianna in Creta”. The Halle Handel Edition of the work offers a whole range of possibilities for the stage.

A German opera in a cosmopolitan spirit, that is Gaspare Spontini’s opera “Agnes von Hohenstaufen” premiered in 1827 in Berlin. Now the Theater Erfurt is taking on this spectacular work.

Beat Furrer will be awarded the Ernst von Siemens Music Prize. For many years the composer has had a tremendous influence on contemporary music – as a conductor, founder of influential institutions such as the Klangforum Wien and Impuls Akademie Graz, composition professor and a much sought-after teacher. Since 1997 his works have been published exclusively by Bärenreiter-Verlag, which shares his delight in receiving this renowned award. His highly diversified scores, which always make new exciting musical experiences possible, are hugely stimulating – Furrer is currently working on his new opera “Violetter Schnee”. (Photo: EvS Musikstiftung / Manu Theobald)

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