On October 24 and 25, 2025, the Teatro La Fenice Orchestra will perform under the baton of Markus Stenz, one of the most versatile conductors of his generation, as part of the 2024–2025 symphony season.
The program opens with Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 100 in G major, Hob. I:100, famously known as the “Military Symphony.” Premiered in 1794 during Haydn’s second London visit, the work is distinguished by its striking use of percussion and brass, evoking the sound of military fanfares and exotic “Turkish” effects. With its brilliant orchestration, wit, and theatrical contrasts, the symphony remains a vibrant example of Haydn’s late style.
The evening continues with Johannes Brahms’s Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 68, a work that cost the composer over a decade of effort. Often regarded as Brahms’s bold answer to Beethoven, the symphony combines dramatic intensity with lyrical warmth, culminating in the radiant finale whose soaring theme has been described as a hymn to human resilience. Its blend of structural rigor and deep emotional expression makes it one of the great monuments of the symphonic repertoire.
At the podium, Markus Stenz brings his refined musicianship and wide-ranging experience. Born in Germany, Stenz studied at the School of Music in Cologne and at Tanglewood with Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa. His distinguished career includes leadership roles with the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and the Radio Filharmonisch Orkest. A frequent guest with leading orchestras worldwide, he is celebrated for his dynamic interpretations and commitment to both classical and contemporary music.
Website: www.teatrolafenice.it
Location: La Fenice opera House, Venice
Schedule: October 24 – 25, 2025
