And when the Bayerische Staatsorchester, the house pit orchestra, performed at the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland last year, Jurowski didn’t stop climate change protesters from storming the stage during the Bruckner symphony. After a brief interruption, he told the audience that he had made a deal with them: They could speak their minds, then remain silent for the rest of the concert. When audience members tried to shout down the protesters, Jurowski motioned for them to be respectful.
He later exchanged emails with two protesters, from Renovate Switzerland, sharing his concerns about the world’s growing crises. But, he told them, “I hardly believe you’re helping the environment by ruining a classical music concert.” He argued for music as a source of spiritual comfort, and for the need to protect it.
It would have been better, he wrote, if they had contacted him before the concert, so that the audience — “admittedly very complicated and certainly a bit stuffy” — would be more open to their message. Jurowski invited them to work together in the future, but they did not respond to that message. Today, he is thinking about programs with his orchestra in Berlin that provide space for speeches about climate change.
In the interview in Munich, Jurowski said he was proud that the incident in Lucerne happened while he was representing the Bavarian State Opera — an institution that, he said, “doesn’t stick its head in the sand and pretend we’re here to do something good.” music.”
But he does too made beautiful music, and will really claim his place in the company’s core repertoire next season when he leads the new “Das Rheingold,” directed by Kratzer, as well as the new “Don Giovanni,” two works with a rich tradition in Munich.
“It’s going to be a big challenge, twofold,” Jurowski said. But after three seasons, he added, he seems ready. And now, he’s eyeing a possible second term; his contract expires in 2026, but he will need at least one more year to finish “Ring.” The decision, however, rests with the local government and not the house itself.
