Katharina Thalbach live in Hamburg

Experience Katharina Thalbach live on December 23rd

Katharina Thalbach will perform at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg on December 23, 2026. Thalbach is a German actress and stage director who, in recent years, has increasingly focused on *Lieder*, particularly those of Gustav Mahler and Hans Eisler. Her musical interpretations are often described as intensely dramatic and emotionally direct, drawing upon her extensive experience in theatre to convey narrative and psychological depth within the songs. She frequently collaborates with pianist Jan Kobialka, focusing on a repertoire that blends classical art song with cabaret and politically charged works.

The Elbphilharmonie itself opened in January 2017 after a decade of construction and significant cost overruns. Built atop an existing warehouse (the Kaispeicher A) in the HafenCity district, it has quickly become a landmark for Hamburg and a globally recognized concert hall. Its design, by Herzog & de Meuron, features a distinctive glass facade constructed from 1,000 curved glass panels. The main concert hall is renowned for its “White Skin” acoustic design – a complex system of individually shaped plasterboard cells developed by Yasuhisa Toyota – intended to provide optimal sound diffusion for both performers and audience members.