© Matej Meza / Universität Bremen
Music at Uni: New Director of Music Now Calling the Tune
The university’s recently appointed Director of Music Mariano Chiacchiarini brings plenty of energy to his new role. In this interview, he speaks to us about the plans he has in store.
The internationally acclaimed conductor and orchestra leader Mariano Chiacchiarini was appointed Director of Music at the University of Bremen in September 2022. He is responsible for everything to do with music at the university, conducting the choir and orchestra, and preparing the concerts for the two ensembles. Mariano Chiacchiarini is well known at concert halls all over the world and received multiple awards at a young age. The Argentinean with Italian roots brings plenty of enthusiasm to his new role in Bremen and wants to whip up interest in music at the university.
Mr. Chiacchiarini, you have already said you have a great team that has the potential to bring so many ideas to life. What are your long-term ambitions as the Director of Music at the University of Bremen?
The first objective is a rapid reconstruction. The past few years have hurt university life and music here. We want to make it possible for everyone to experience the joy of going to the campus and meeting people to play music at the highest level and feel inspired. We want them to feel goosebumps, be deeply moved, and simply spread the joy. The next step is international recognition and making music at the uni an ambassador for the university and the city of Bremen.
How do you intend to achieve your goals? When is your work as Director of Music deemed a success?
I always try to remain authentic – that’s what I’ve always been and that’s what I’ve always done in my career and during my 12 wonderful years as Director of Music at the University of Trier. We love music and when you can share it with others, that love becomes even greater. This applies to amateurs as well as professionals who have never lost their enthusiasm for music. When our musicians and singers go home after rehearsal and think it was worth it, then we are on the right track.
What do you need to be able to do? Be inspired and share your love of music with other people. Believe me, it’ll be worth it!
The first major Brahms concert is scheduled to take place at Die Glocke at the end of January. Isn’t the timing very tight for the rehearsals? How are you going to manage that?
It’s a very short amount of time, so the preparation before the first rehearsals was very important. The interest is great, and we are expecting many new members at the first rehearsal, all of whom are very welcome to participate. The rehearsals will begin on October 24 (choir) and October 25 (orchestra) – we will be working very hard towards the concert.
Who is allowed to participate in the first rehearsals? Who do you really need on board? What do participants need to be able to do?
Students and staff at the university are all welcome to take part, regardless of whether they have experience. We also welcome people from outside the university. The idea, and our wish, is to bring the city to the university and then the university to the city. For the Brahms project at Die Glocke – a compelling start to the program – we are looking for tenors and basses in the choir and musicians in the orchestra’s string section in particular. What do you need to be able to do? Be inspired and share your love of music with other people. Believe me, it’ll be worth it!
More Information
The first choral rehearsal will take place on Monday, October 24, 2022, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The orchestra’s first rehearsal will be on Tuesday, October 25, 2022, from 7 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
The rehearsals are held at the university’s GW1 auditorium. New members are welcome.
The concert will be performed at Die Glocke in Bremen on Saturday, January 28, 2023.
More information on the website
