The 1991 Berliner Philharmoniker Europakonzert in Prague

The year is 1991, and Claudio Abbado is conducting the first ever Europakonzert, starting a tradition that will continue for over 30 years! On May 1 every year, in Europe's most legendary concert halls, under the expert baton of internationally renowned conductors, the Berliner Philharmoniker celebrates the anniversary of its founding.

In Prague, the program begins with the beloved Overture to Mozart’s Don Giovanni, which kicks off another hour of Mozart works — and for a good historical reason: the Czech capital’s passionate response to The Marriage of Figaro the year prior inspired Mozart to return for the first-ever performance of Don Giovanni on October 27, 1787. Although that premiere took place at the Estates Theatre, it is at the equally well-known Smetena Hall that the Berlin-based ensemble takes up residence for the 1991 concert.

Following Don Giovanni’s iconic Overture, soprano Cheryl Studer joins the orchestra for one of that opera’s signature arias, “Crudele! Ah no, mio bene!” The program continues with Mozart’s Symphony No. 29 in A Major, one of his last “Salzburgian” symphonies, and the concert aria “Ch'io mi scordi di te” for soprano, orchestra, and piano obbligato played by Bruno Canino. The Symphony No. 35 in D major, also known as the Haffner Symphony, brings the evening to a majestic close and marks the beginning of a cherished tradition for decades to come!