Berlin Philharmonic performs New Year's Eve concert - Berlin Philharmonic’s New Year’s concert unites Europe with music and hope
The Berlin Philharmonic welcomed the new year with its annual concert, led by Chief Conductor Kirill Petrenko. The event featured French tenor Benjamin Bernheim and a programme of classical favourites. Audiences gathered in person, in cinemas, and in front of screens across Europe to watch the performance.
The 90-minute concert showcased works by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Georges Bizet, and George Gershwin. Petrenko and Bernheim delivered a performance that earned strong applause from the crowd. The event was broadcast live on television and streamed outdoors, while around 330 cinemas across Europe, including those managed by Ticketmaster and Cinemark, screened it simultaneously.
Among the attendees was former Chancellor Angela Merkel, who joined the audience at the Philharmonie. After the final notes, Petrenko took a moment to express his hopes for the coming year. He called for greater peace worldwide as 2026 began.
The Berlin Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve concert once again drew wide attention. With its mix of classical and popular pieces, the performance reached thousands beyond the concert hall. The evening closed with a message of unity and optimism for the year ahead.
