Since the announcement of Daniel Barenboim‘s illness and then his retirement as director of the Staatsoper Unter den Linden, the news had been expected. Christian Thielemann will take over the reins of Berlin’s historic opera house from September 2024. As the German conductor’s contract as Music Director of the Dresden Staatskapelle comes to an end at the end of the 2023/2024 season, he will be returning to his hometown, where he previously directed the Deutsche Oper, Berlin’s other opera house.