Andrea Zietzschmann with Kirill Petrenko
As announced today by Berlin’s Senator for Culture and Europe and Chairman of the Foundation Board,
Dr. Klaus Lederer, the contract with the general manager of the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation,
Andrea Zietzschmann, will be extended until 31 August 2025.
Dr. Klaus Lederer, Senator for Culture and Europe: “Andrea Zietzschmann has successfully helped
launch the exciting new era of the Berliner Philharmoniker with Kirill Petrenko. Personally, I am also very
pleased that Andrea Zietzschmann, one of the outstanding women in the music industry, will now remain
in Berlin for another three years. I am convinced that, especially now, she will lead the Berliner
Philharmoniker through the current difficult conditions for the music industry with great enthusiasm and
the necessary care.”
Kirill Petrenko, chief conductor of the Berliner Philharmoniker: “I very much welcome this decision. During
the difficult time of the pandemic, we have been working even more intensely and closely together. So I
am delighted to continue to work with Andrea Zietzschmann to shape the future of the Berliner
Philharmoniker Foundation.”
Knut Weber and Stanley Dodds, orchestra and media board representatives: “We are very much looking
forward to more years together with Andrea Zietzschmann as general manager of the Berliner
Philharmoniker Foundation. Especially in times of crisis such as the one we are experiencing at the
moment, it has become clear how trustworthy and forward-looking she is in her work, always keeping an
eye on the welfare of the Foundation and, in particular, of the orchestra.”
Andrea Zietzschmann, born 1970, studied musicology, art history and business administration in Freiburg,
Vienna and Hamburg. At the same time she worked with Westdeutschen Rundfunk (WDR), Staatsoper
Stuttgart, Hamburg State Opera and the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester. In 1997, she founded the
Mahler Chamber Orchestra together with Claudio Abbado and was the ensemble’s general manager for
six years. In 2003 she joined Hessischer Rundfunk as orchestra manager. In 2008, she took over the
position of director of music director which involved being responsible for the station’s orchestras and
festivals, including Cresc, the festival for contemporary music. In November 2013, Andrea Zietzschmann
moved to Hamburg to take over the management of the four NDR ensembles, concert series and festivals.
As part of her work at NDR, she was also responsible for the Elbphilharmonie project and the introduction
of the residence of the NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester in Hamburg’s new landmark. Since 1 September
2017 Andrea Zietzschmann has been general manager of the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation and is
responsible for both the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Philharmonie Berlin.