Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt - a flagship for culture in Offenbach

The new Philhamonie also uses its headquarters in Offenbach's Capitol for rehearsals. According to manager Dirk Eisermann, the permanent home and its infrastructure have given the orchestra an enormous boost in its development. Artistic Director Dr. Ralph Philipp Ziegler even speaks of a "quantum leap". "It's wonderful that we can do our work here," says Eisermann.

The Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt has 50 regular members and up to 90 changing participants. And all of them now feel very connected to Offenbach. "We have arrived in the city," says Ziegler, recalling the beginnings as a professional symphony orchestra at the end of the 1990s. Back then, the orchestra never dared to dream that it would achieve such a status and be as firmly anchored in the city as the popular stages.

"Today, the Capitol Classic Lounge is a crystallization point for a new civic feeling in Offenbach," says Ziegler. The Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt also regularly brings celebrities to Offenbach for rehearsals. Master tenor José Carreras, for example, came to the Stadthalle to prepare his winter tour with the orchestra, as did star violinist David Garrett, who rehearsed a tour and DVD production with the Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt at the Capitol.

The sheet music for the classical pieces for Garrett was provided by Offenbach-based music store André. The anniversary symphony, which the orchestra performed in Ingolstadt in summer 2009 for the "100 years of AUDI" anniversary in front of the Chancellor, three Minister Presidents and numerous other celebrities, was also rehearsed at the Capitol in Offenbach and recorded on CD.

The Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt is now a private orchestra by conviction and intends to remain so. At the same time, the cultural location of Offenbach benefits from the exclusive program of the Capitol Classic Lounge. The contract stipulates that the concert series may not be performed at other venues within the Rhine-Main region. Despite the close ties, the ensemble intends to retain its now established name - even if the connection to Frankfurt was never really pronounced. However, the logo of the Neue Philharmonie bears the addition "Headquarters: Capitol Theater Offenbach".

The number of subscriptions to the Capitol Classic Lounge has risen continuously since the first edition. The Christmas Lounge and Cinema Lounge are always sold out. Ziegler is pleased that the public's trust in the orchestra and the quality of the concert series is now so great that even less popular programs are well attended. According to Ziegler, the series is not comparable to touring productions. "The productions are created in the Capitol and for the Capitol."

The prices are at a reasonable level. This is made possible by sponsors. GBO Managing Director Winfried Männche acquires 100,000 euros annually and thus half of the costs for the series. The sponsor community is "pretty united", says Männche.

According to Capitol Managing Director Birgit von Hellborn, the Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt and the CCL have greatly improved the image of the former Capitol musical theater. It was once difficult to position the theater on the market for lucrative corporate events. In the meantime, there is no DAX company that has not yet been a guest at the Capitol. "And we've managed to attract Offenbach's old and new citizens to the Capitol."

The Neue Philharmonie Frankfurt now performs a total of 40 to 60 concerts a year. The musicians are active in many ways in Offenbach, teach at the Offenbach music school and play in children's and chamber concerts.