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The new Philharmonic director John Bultmann (l) and the Essen Oliver Scheytt Cultural Affairs. (c) Reuters (Reuters)
The new Philharmonic director John Bultmann (l) and the Essen Oliver Scheytt Cultural Affairs. (c) dpa

No, there was actually no gunpowder smoke, the parents-ges on the Essen Philharmonic floated, it was white smoke: By 48 years old Dr. John Bultmann, the Culture quickly a successor for the successful, but geschassten Michael Kaufmann found. And even more: Last night was the two sides signed contract for the repeal of employment summarily dismissed Philharmonic's founding director Michael Kaufmann before.

On the modalities of the agreement both sides agreed silence.

Part of the agreement between the municipal theater and philharmonic GmbH (TUP) was apparently also an affirmation that eating Mayor Wolfgang Reiniger (CDU) was published yesterday. The unilateral declaration lists all the merits businessman and closes with the words: "Michael Kaufmann has to build the Philharmonie Essen acquired permanent earnings. This is my high appreciation to him." Moreover, known under Cleaner "repeated discussions resolved," it was a mistake, "because the problem of budget overruns in the Philharmonie not begin the conversation with the sponsors and especially Prof. Berthold Beitz wanted to have."

John Bultmann, the successor to Michael Kaufmann. Now comes the Philharmonic back into calmer waters? Discuss with you!

John Bultmann is now on 1 December, to start work. This is possible because yesterday the Supervisory Board of Theater and the Neue Philharmonie Westfalen native "overwhelming majority", albeit without the votes of the SPD manager chose. The SPD had its approval from the divestment of the Philharmonic from the TUP construct upon what the City Council but rejected, and also for the Board of the "success model TUP" because no question came. Nevertheless, it said Oliver Scheytt Cultural Affairs, the model had the reputation of food entered, not just the concert home with the best program, but also the best theater in North Rhine-Westphalia and the best opera house in Germany.
Henze an expert - and renewed criticism

The new Philharmonic director John Bultmann. (c) Reuters (Reuters)
The new Philharmonic director John Bultmann. (c) dpa

Yesterday was Bultmann and his new employer sought to after all the previous battles with a merchant, businessman fans and sponsors look forward to steer: With Bultmann had a highly qualified experts obtained, which is also familiar in the region. Before he was part of a trio led by general manager Andreas Mölich-Zebhauser the wrecked since 1998, now privately funded Festival Ba-the-Baden gains momentum and money, fame and glory brought Bultmann was from 1992 to 1996 as managing director for the World Music Days "in the Ruhr operate. At this festival for contemporary music, he had first points in Essen, when he succeeded, with a festival of contemporary music even the Grugahalle to fill.

He knows that he is now in a "5-star hotel" distance, its top-quality he wants and - admittedly in compliance with its budget - to raise hopes. Bultmann-stressed parents sat his passion for teamwork, service, cooperation and "fundraising" and promised the quickest possible talks with the Board of Trustees. Bultmann wants with an attractive balance of jazz, world music, classical and contemporary lure. Into the concept of Culture in 2010, he seems to fit. So good parts of the planned Henze cycle in the Philharmonie tone. After all, Bultmann 1991 as a Fellow of North Rhine-Westphalia about the composer Hans Werner Henze doctorate.

It had an initial response from the ranks of the Board of Trustees nothing good guess. This was not a consensus solution, but rather an "isolation of the city", was the spokesman of the Board of Trustees, the head of the plant builder MAN Ferrostaal, Matthias Mitscherlich, quote. "Once again the facts have been created without the board of trustees involved."