© Sony ClassicalJonas Kaufmann’s new album "Magische Töne" has been released
Opera star sinks into magical operetta melodies
On his new album "Magische Töne", opera star Jonas Kaufmann celebrates the world of opera and operetta. It features many works from our catalogue.
Jonas Kaufmann recorded his new album with the Hungarian State Opera Orchestra, conducted by Dirk Kaftan. The focus is on highlights by composers from the era of the Austro-Hungarian Dual Monarchy (1867–1918), led by well-known songs from the operettas of Emmerich Kálmán, Franz Lehár and Paul Abraham.
The very first two tracks, ‘Komm, Zigany’ and ‘Komm mit nach Varasdin’, transport listeners to the nostalgically romanticised fantasy Hungary of THE COUNTESS MARIZA – just like THE CSÁRDÁSPRINCESS, Kálmán’s best-known operetta. The latter is also featured on the CD with “Tanzen möcht’ ich”, whilst KAISERIN JOSEPHINE, a genuine Kálmán rarity, has also been included in the track list.
Naturally, no operetta album would be complete without Franz Lehár. Alongside “Immer nur lächeln” from THE LAND OF SMILES, the album features evergreens such as “Es steht ein Soldat am Wolgastrand” from THE TSAREVICH and “Schön wie die blaue Sommernacht” from GIUDITTA.
Should any of these individual operetta tracks have captured your interest, we would be happy to provide you with the performance materials.
Gulda Cello Concerto now also available for symphony orchestra
On 1 January 2026, the audience at the Kurhaus Wiesbaden experienced a special musical premiere: as part of its festive New Year's concert, the HR Symphony Orchestra presented Friedrich Gulda's Concerto for Violoncello and Wind Orchestra for the first time in a newly arranged version for violoncello and symphony orchestra by Ingmar Sonnenmoser.
Under the baton of Vitali Alekseenok, principal conductor of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein since 2024, the work was performed in symphonic form for the first time. This preserves the original character of the concerto while opening up new tonal perspectives. The demanding solo part was performed by cellist Anastasia Kobekina. With technical brilliance, tonal diversity and great stylistic flexibility, the internationally acclaimed soloist guided the audience through the extremely varied expressive worlds of the work.
Composed in 1980, the concerto for cello and wind instruments is best known for its striking mix of rock, jazz, classical and traditional wind music styles. The arrangement remains stylistically close to the original, but transfers the often chamber music-like gesture into a symphonic context – without losing any of its authenticity. A central concern of the arrangement was to give the unchanged solo part the greatest possible transparency, thus enabling it to be performed without electronic amplification.
Seven awards at the German Musical Theatre Awards
DIE WEISSE ROSE best musical
At the Deutscher Musical Theater Preis 2025 (German Musical Theatre Awards) at the TIPI am Kanzleramt Berlin, the Festspielhaus Neuschwanstein production received seven awards, including the top category of ‘Best Musical’. The work received a total of nine nominations. Awards included Best Book and Best Director (Vera Bolten), Best Lyrics (Vera Bolten & Alex Melcher), Best Arrangements and Sound Design (Alex Melcher, Marc Tritschler, Sven Raff), Best Choreography (Bart De Clercq) and Best Lighting Design (Andreas Hönig). The musical tells the story of the White Rose resistance group led by Sophie and Hans Scholl and sends a strong message about contemporary German-language musical theatre. The authors: ‘We want to show that there were people who resisted, who did not look away. Who even risked their lives for their convictions. Providing role models is an important aspect for us.’
Find more about the Musical here, and listen to rbb radio's report here.