Henze 100

Hans Werner Henze would have been 100 years old on 1 July 2026. This momentous occasion prompts a re-examination of the enormous oeuvre that the composer left behind and which is now part of the core repertoire of music theatre and concert life. Performances of Henze's work have consistently numbered around 150 to 200 performances each year, among them up to seven new opera productions annually. Today, twelve years after his death, we are still finding pieces previously presumed lost and revising certain works in accordance with his wishes, most recently the stage version of his television opera La piccola Cubana. Henze's oeuvre encompasses all genres. Throughout his creative life, his music was consistently characterized by a distinct and independent personal style, always carrying an explicit political message, which gave voice to the oppressed and marginalised in favour of peace and tolerance. Among his many notable achievements, Henze's innovative musical initiatives in Tuscany, Styria and Munich not only set cultural and political milestones but also initiated and promoted the artistic careers of numerous young colleagues. Michael Kerstan (Chairman of the Hans Werner Henze Foundation)