For the Berliner Philharmoniker, getting to know a new concert hall is always exciting. The orchestra made its Colombian debut at the Teatro Mayor in the capital, Bogotá. The hall opened in 2010, and its acoustics and stage technology meet the highest modern standards. Its interior is decorated in warm shades of brown, and the atmosphere is intimate.
The opening concert paired Elgar’s Enigma Variations with Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony. As soon as the Philharmoniker and chief conductor Kirill Petrenko appeared on stage, they were greeted with cries of “¡Bravo!” During the interval, comments such as “¡Absolutamente extraordinario!” could be heard throughout the foyer. The final notes were met with a standing ovation.
On their first day in Bogotá, the Berliner Philharmoniker had the day off to acclimatise to the thin air at an altitude of 2,640 metres. Several orchestra members used the time to explore the city, starting with a visit to a famous market selling fish from the Amazon and fruits rarely seen in Europe. Next on the itinerary was the Gold Museum, which offered a glimpse into Colombia’s rich cultural heritage. Perhaps most thrilling of all, though, were Bogotá’s vibrant, colourful streets.
Second and final concert in Bogotá! In this programme too – Brahms’s First Piano Concerto (soloist: Víkingur Ólafsson) and Strauss’s Also sprach Zarathustra – the audience responded with unrestrained enthusiasm. They were rewarded with an encore: Brahms’s Hungarian Dance No. 1.