Björn Bürger

Björn Bürger played the role of Papageno in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute) at Festival 2019. Here he performs ‘Ein Mädchen oder Weibchen’ from the opera. He is accompanied by Kate Golla on piano.

After downing a glass of wine which has magically appeared before him, birdcatcher Papageno’s mind wanders to other pleasure, and sings about the wife he would like to make him truly happy. This he does in delightful, almost folk-like music that has all the directness and simplicity of the character himself.

In his second performance, Bürger has chosen selected ‘O du, mein holder Abendstern’ from Wagner’s Tannhäuser. In this piece, the minstrel Wolfram finds himself alone as night falls. Looking up into the twilight sky he sings a ravishing hymn to the Evening Star, who he prays will guide his beloved Elisabeth to heaven.