OPERcussion blends Bach, jazz, and Latin American rhythms

OPERcussion is an extraordinary ensemble that brings percussion out of the depths of the orchestra pit and places it squarely in the spotlight. It combines a rich musical tradition with a spirit of experimentation, virtuosity, and a keen sense of innovation—a blend that’s simply fun and inspiring!

In Europe’s smartest concert hall, they’ll perform timeless classics for you by Bach, Gershwin, Gillespie, Piazolla, and others.

In keeping with the Bavarian State Opera’s long tradition of encouraging its orchestra members to engage in chamber music, OPERcussion was formed in 2008 following a serendipitous meeting between Pieter Roijen, Maxime Pidoux, Carlos Vera Larrucea, and Claudio Estay. In 2024, Tomàs Toral joined the ensemble. With the subsequent addition of Tido Frobeen, OPERcussion now performs as a sextet—six musicians who bring virtuosity, experience, diverse cultural backgrounds, and, above all, their very own musical personalities to the ensemble.

The repertoire now includes arrangements of works from the Baroque, Classical, and Impressionist periods, as well as jazz and music from Latin America. In addition, the ensemble collaborates with contemporary composers, performs new commissioned works, and incorporates improvisation as an essential part of its stage presence.

OPERcussion released its first album, *Original Grooves *. On it, Latin American rhythms and music by Chick Corea and Astor Piazzolla even meet Johann Sebastian Bach. The recording was also very well received by critics. The *Süddeutsche Zeitung* described the unusual interplay of marimba, vibraphone, and bass and ultimately summed up the ensemble’s versatility in the simplest terms possible: “They can do anything.”

J.S. Bach ( 1685–1750): Prelude in C minor, BWV 847 (from *The Well-Tempered Clavier*, Book I), arr . Pete Lawrence

Chick Corea ( 1941–2021): La Fiesta, arr. Carlos Vera Larrucea

George Gershwin ( 1898–1937): “ ” “I Got Rhythm(s),” arr. Carlos Vera Larrucea

Dizzy Gillespie ( 1917–1993):“ ” “A Night in Tunisia,” arr. Carlos Vera Larrucea

Lira de San Cristobal ( 1941–2021): “El Rascapetate,” arr. Carlos Vera Larrucea

Oriol Cruixent ( 1976): Patagonia Suite

Astor Piazzolla ( 1921–1992): La Muerte del Ángel, arr. Carlos Vera Larrucea

Tania Maria ( 1946): Yatra-ta, arr. Carlos Vera Larrucea

Chick Corea (1941–2021):“ , Spain,” arr. Carlos Vera Larrucea

Percussion:

Pieter Roijen

Claudio Estay

Carlos Vera Larrucea

Maxime Pidoux

Tomàs Toral

Tido Frobeen

Doors open at 6:30 pm
Start: 7:00 pm
End: 8:15 pm

Support-Price Ticket: 56 EUR

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Fair-Price Ticket: 44 EUR

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Social-Price Ticket: 28 EUR

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