Art
Gotthard and Nina Hagen together for a good cause
Heaven on Earth at the Zurich Opera House
On Sunday night the Opera House opened its door for a charity event in honor of the Zurich Lighthouse. The President of the foundation “Stunden des Herzens”, Hans-Peter Portmann raised up to 200,000 Swiss Francs to help the 25 year old hospice. In the price were three guitars signed by the stars of the evening and auctioned during the dinner for a value of 65,000 Swiss Francs.
For the last decade, “Stunden des Herzens” has raised over 1,5 Millions Swiss Francs.
Zurich lighthouse celebrates its 25th anniversary at the Zurich Opera House credit Véronique Gray
The only hospice in the canton of Zurich is located in Hottingen and has 14 rooms. While it started as a place to help Aids patients, it now also hosts cancer patients. 90% have deadly tumours and die there in dignity. The longest staying patient, Angelika, came to the stage to talk about the Zurich Lighthouse. It is “like a guest house” and “everyone should be happy to spend his last moment of life there,” she said smiling. She has been there 2 years and 2 months.
Hans Peter Portmann, Sven Epinay and mayor of Zurich Corinne Mauch credit agnieszka obuchowicz
At 6.30 p.m. after an apéritif in the foyer Hans-Peter Portmann and presenter Sven Epinay welcomed guests in the sold out auditorium. Many politicians, business people and show business had come for this special event. In the official tribune sat the President of the National Council, the President of Switzerland,Ueli Maurer, and the Mayor of Zurich, Corinne Mauch.
Mauch said in her speech how much she enjoys it when the Opera House is full and when people commit themselves for such causes. Hans-Peter Portmann, who is also the President of the Zurich Lighthouse foundation, has invested much of his time towards it since he joined 15 years ago.
The evening had both started and ended with some classical opera tunes sung by Bariton Björn Bürger and Mezzosopran Annika Schlicht. The two interpreted great tunes from Samson & Dalila, Rinaldo and The wedding of Figaro accompanied by Thomas Barthel at the piano.
Dinner menu for the charity gala of the Zurich Lighthouse credit Véronique Gray
Delicious entrée prepared by Chef Hans Peter Hussong
A delicious three course dinner was served on the stage, prepared by Chef Hans Peter Hussong and his wife Ines. Hussong’s restaurant “Wirtschaft zum Wiesengrund” has 18 Gault Millau Points and 2 Michelin stars.
But what the audience had come to see was the punk icon Nina Hagen and the best known Swiss band, Gotthard. As soon as they entered the stage one after the other, the atmosphere in the Opera House warmed up.
Nina Hagen credit agnieszka obuchowicz
People loved Nina the minute she pronounced her first word in her raspy voice. She was funny, joyful, energetic and loveable in her young girl’s outfit. She arrived in a mini skirt with leggins,brown ankle boots and a pink knot on the top of her long black hair. She sat down for one hour with a guitar, singing songs about peace, war and friendship with a mix of English and German in songs like “All you Facists are bound to lose” and “This train is bound for glory”. She sung the texts from German playwright and poet Berthold Brecht, someone she said people need.
Nina Hagen during the Zurich Lighthouse charity gala credit agnieszka obuchowicz
It felt like being in a cabaret in East Berlin where Nina Hagen was born. From time to time Nina reminds the audience that she will sing in September at the Freie Volksbühne in Berlin “and it is almost as nice as here!”.
Why did she come to support the Zurich Lighthouse? Because she has a big heart and always invests her time in social and political causes. She commented about the special moments she spent visiting a hospice near Cologne. There she met an old man with whom she develops a lifetime friendship.
Nina Hagen at Zurich Opera House credit agnieszka obuchowicz
Nina Hagen living the stage at the Zurich Opera House – credit agnieszka obuchowicz
The second concert of the evening was from the most successful Swiss band, Gotthard, which already has sold over 2 Millions albums. Seeing the energy of the band and of its fans, everyone can understand why Gotthard is so popular. Fans had come from all parts of Switzerland, even the French part where frontman Nic Maeder is from.
Gotthard band in Zurich credit agnieszka obuchowicz
The group has been touring since June 2012 to promote their latest album “Firebirth” and Sunday night was the last concert planned until next year according to Nic.
All dressed in black the members of Gotthard, accompanied by young women in a string quartet, electrified the audience. It was a special evening for Gotthard at the Opera House, making a DVD and being the first rock band singing there.
Gotthard for the Zurich Lighthouse charity gala credit agnieszka obuchowicz
No matter if it was a ballad or a more upbeat song, people of all age enjoyed the acoustic concert, clapping, holding their hands in the air, dancing and singing along. There were old songs like “Anytime Anywhere”, “Falling”, “One life One Soul” (solo by Nic Maeder), but also some from the Firebirth album like “Remember it” and “Starlight.”
During the entire concert, pictures of the dark sky and ashes were shown, always changing colours with the music.
Nina Hagen and Gotthard members on the stage of the Zurich Opera House credit agnieszka obuchowicz
Rock Band Gotthard at Opera House credit agnieszka obuchowicz
That night with the powerful song “Heaven” and words “Let me find my peace of heaven. From the ashes to the sky,” the audience had at least found with no doubt a piece of heaven on earth!
For those who missed Gotthard at the Zurich Opera House, the band is now recording a new album, which will come out in the spring, something Maeder is really looking forward to, he told us smiling!
For donation to the Zurich Lighthouse click here
Gotthard “Anytime Anywhere”
