AMBROSE AKINMUSIRE

feat. Gian Slater, Matilda Abraham, Kristin Berardi, Joe Sanders, Savannah Harris, Jakob Bro, Gregory Hutchinson

Pierre Boulez Saal

A trumpeter of deep expressive resources and a composer of wide-ranging vision, Ambrose Akinmusire has made a home at the crossroads of different musical forms and languages, from post-bop and avant-garde jazz to contemporary chamber music and hip hop, to singer-songwriter aesthetics. His program will include the world premiere of a new composition commissioned by the Pierre Boulez Saal as well as a special trio with Jakob Bro and Gregory Hutchinson brought together for the occasion to present Akinmusire’s The Owl Song II.

Artists

A Note from Ambrose Akinmusire

When the Pierre Boulez Saal and its curator, Piotr Turkiewicz, first approached me about this commission—and gave me carte blanche in terms of instrumentation and themes—I knew almost immediately that I wanted to do a piece highlighting the voice. It’s one of my favorite instruments to write for, but I don’t have as many occasions as I would like to do so. Not only did I want to focus on the voice, but in particular I wanted to work with Melbourne-based vocalist Gian Slater. I’ve been a great admirer of her body of work and especially her work with the Invenio Singers, the innovative ensemble that experiments with form, compositions, and vocal technique. But unfortunately, geographical distance has prevented us from collaborating until now. It was Gian who brought to my attention the two other vocalist for this project: Kristin Berardi and Matilda Abraham, both also from Australia but currently residing in Luzern and Berlin, respectively. As for the rhythm section, I wanted to keep things spare and fluid, thus my decision to avoid using chordal instruments, and the choice to invite my longtime collaborator Joe Sanders on bass as well as the always creative drummer Savannah Harris. At its core, tonight’s piece is about alignment, in all the senses of the word: including physical, psychological, and musical. The piece has both through-written and open sections to allow the musicians to play within and respond to the composition.

YOUR VISIT

How To Get There

Pierre Boulez Saal
Barenboim-Said Akademie
Französische Straße 33d
10117 Berlin

Google Maps

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Public Transport

U-Bahn U2 Hausvogteiplatz, U5 Museumsinsel, U6 Unter den Linden

S-Bahn S / U Friedrichstraße

Tram M1, 12 Mitte / Am Kupfergraben

Bus 147 Werderscher Markt; 100, 300, N5 Staatsoper

Bicycle
Bicycle racks are available on the street “Hinter der Katholischen Kirche.”

Car
Q-PARK parking garage Unter den Linden / Staatsoper
Bebelplatz 2
10117 Berlin

Theater rate (5.30 pm – 11.30 pm, paid in advance): €10

More information on getting there by public transport, bike, or car is available on our Getting there page.

Opening Hours

Box Office

During the summer, the box office will be closed from June 30 to August 1 and from August 11 to September 5, 2025.

Monday to Friday 2 pm to 6 pm
Closed on weekends and holidays
On performance days, the box office opens one hour prior to an event on weekdays and two hours on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.

Papagena Call Center

Ticket hotline +49 30 4799 7411

Monday to Saturday 9am to 8pm
Sunday and public holidays 2pm to 8pm

Food & Drinks

Casalot Catering welcomes Pierre Boulez Saal visitors before and after concerts, serving a variety of dishes of Arab cuisine.

On concert nights, the bar opens one hour before the start of an event and remains open after the performance. You may also place pre-orders for intermission right at the counter.

More informantion on our catering can be found here.

Coat Check

Small bags up to a maximum size of A4 (21x30 cm) and jackets may be taken into the concert hall. Luggage, helmets, large umbrellas, and other bulky items must be stored at the coat check.

The coat check is free and located behind the staircase in the foyer, on the left-hand side.

Accessibility

To book wheelchair-accessible seating, other seats for visitors with disabilities, or companion seats, please contact us directly.

+49 30 4799 7411
tickets@boulezsaal.de

All wheelchair seats are accessible by elevator. All visitors, including patrons using a wheelchair, will enter the Pierre Boulez Saal through the main entrance. Tickets will be checked at the hall doors.

In order to make access as easy as possible, we kindly ask that you inform us of your requirements when booking your tickets.

Restrooms for visitors with disabilities are located in the basement and on the balcony level and are accessible by elevator.

Four parking spaces for visitors with disabilities are available on the street Hinter der Katholischen Kirche.