05.06.2006: Classical stars in the MOWOS! Zubin Metha, Christian Thielemann, Mariss Jansons, Placido Domingo and Lang Lang left their mark one day before the mega World Cup Concert in the Olympic Stadium.

 

Yet another premiere in the Munich Olympic Walk of Stars (MOWOS): Classical music beckons... and with three top-class world stars. As part of the cultural programme for the FIFA World Cup 2006, a really sensational classical concert was held in the Olympic Stadium on 6 June 2006. This was the first occasion on which the three top orchestras from Munich had played together in the same concert. Their conductors are world famous and the international audience had the opportunity to thrill to performances by star soloists on the giant stage.

 

One day before their appearance, the group of classical celebrities came to the VIP area of the Olympic Stadium for a press conference and photo opportunity. It goes without saying that (almost) everything had to do with football and the massed ranks of international journalists tested the conductors' knowledge of the "Beautiful Game". There were quite a few amusing predictions made. In view of the fact that India and China had not qualified, Metha and Lang Lang in particular were crossing their fingers for the German team to take the title. The press conference heralded a happy World Cup that brought nations together.

 

Then things got down to the nitty-gritty: dozens of camera crews from all over the world and even more snappers almost came to blows in trying to get the best pictures of the artists leaving their hand-prints. Zubin Metha, Christian Thielemann, Mariss Jansons, Placido Domingo and Lang Lang, on the other hand, kept their cool, kept on cracking jokes and were delighted to see their marks left in the cement.

 

Placido Domingo even signed the Fender rock guitar. At the Olympic Lake, it is now possible to see the composers eternalised on a shared plaque, with the tenor accompanied by the pianist on another. This means the MOWOS will now also become a must-see for visiting classic music fans...