musical

String Quartet Takes Off in Four Helicopters for Unique Deutsche Oper Premiere

September 6, 2026 11:00pm 23:00

Four musicians performed a string quartet simultaneously in four helicopters at Schönhagen Airport, realizing Karlheinz Stockhausen's innovative concept ahead of the Deutsche Oper's "Mittwoch aus Licht" premiere.

Key details

• Four musicians performed separately in helicopters at Schönhagen Airport.
• The concert was based on Stockhausen's concept for "Mittwoch aus Licht."
• The performance overcame adverse weather conditions before takeoff.
• Advanced ground technology blended the strings' sounds with helicopter noise.

In a spectacular realization of composer Karlheinz Stockhausen's visionary concept, four musicians performed a string quartet while flying in separate helicopters at Schönhagen Airport in Teltow-Fläming. This pioneering concert, featuring violinists Anna Matz and Monia Rizkallah, violist Kirsikka de Leval Jezierski, and cellist Arne-Christian Pelz, forms part of the Deutsche Oper's upcoming production "Mittwoch aus Licht," which is set to premiere on September 19, 2026.

The ambitious event almost faced cancellation due to stormy weather, but conditions cleared just in time for takeoff. Each performer flew with a pilot and a sound technician aboard, utilizing sophisticated ground technology to merge their string sounds with the helicopter rotor noises, successfully blending musical artistry with mechanical soundscapes.

Following the airborne performance, the musicians exited their helicopters joyfully, marking a triumphant moment in innovative music performance. Ticket prices for the premiere range between 42 and 165 euros, inviting audiences to experience this groundbreaking artistic endeavor live.

This event not only pushes the boundaries of traditional concert settings but also honors Stockhausen's daring artistic vision, combining technology, music, and flight in a singular auditory experience that redefines the relationship between performer and environment.

This article was translated and synthesized from German sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.