Ludwig Rottenberg (1864-1932)
A Life for the Frankfurt Opera
Exhibition opening on 11 October 2014, 6:00 PM
Music: Lieder with piano accompaniment by Ludwig Rottenberg and Paul Hindemith
Cordula Stepp (soprano), Klemens Althapp (piano)
The conductor Ludwig Rottenberg played a key role in Frankfurt's musical life around 1900. He came to the Frankfurt Opera House in 1893 on the recommendation of Johannes Brahms and directed the orchestra for over three decades as First Kapellmeister, longer than any other conductor since. Numerous world premieres and Frankfurt premieres took place thanks to him.
As the son-in-law of the then Lord Mayor Franz Adickes and father-in-law of Paul Hindemith, he was closely connected to Frankfurt personalities and the city in a variety of ways. After his death in 1932 he was quickly forgotten, not least due to the anti-Jewish smear campaign of the National Socialists. This exhibition on the 150th anniversary of his birth commemorates his life and activities in and for this city.